CN115343929A

CN115343929A - Developer supply container and developer supply system

Info

Publication number: CN115343929A
Application number: CN202210998158.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蒲生洋平; 峰司; 嘉村彰人; 片山晃司; 山冈将人; 大泉佑介; 神羽学; 冲野礼知; 四方田伸之; 矶部敬介
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2017-09-21
Filing date: 2018-09-21
Publication date: 2022-11-15
Also published as: US20230041483A1; RU2767161C2; KR20200043487A; US20230048946A1; DE112018008252B4; AU2021212152A1; CA3166827A1; EP4365681A2; CN115343927A; US10725400B2; CN115343930B; RU2022103808A; KR102345357B1; CN114815550A; US11392056B2; KR20230088852A; KR20220002724A; HUE066367T2; CN111133388A; PL3686683T3

Abstract

The supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported by the receiving supporting portion 30c of the lifting portion 30 in association with the mounting operation of the supply container. With further mounting operation, the shutter slide portion 30b of the lift portion 30 slides on the shutter inclined portion 4f of the shutter 4. The developer receiving portion 11 is displaced so as to communicate the receiving opening with the discharge opening by operating the lift portion 30 of the supported portion 11b supporting the developer receiving portion 11 using the shutter 4. Thereby, the load required to move the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced to achieve smooth installation of the supply container.

Description

Developer supply container and developer supply system

The divisional application is a divisional application based on a chinese patent application having an application number of 201880060301.X, an application date of 2018, 09 month and 21 day, entitled "developer supply container and developer supply system", which is a chinese national stage of an international application having an international application number of PCT/JP 2018/036623.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus and a developer supply system.

Background

Conventionally, a developer such as a fine powder toner can be used with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine. In such an image forming apparatus, the developer is consumed when forming an image, and therefore, the developer is supplied from the developer supply device. In the developer supplying apparatus, a developer supply container (hereinafter simply referred to as a supply container) containing a developer is mounted on a developer receiving device provided in an image forming device to supply the developer. Therefore, a structure has been proposed (japanese patent application laid-open No. 2013-015826) in which a developer receiving portion of a developer receiving device is moved (displaced) toward a discharge opening of a supply container according to a mounting operation of the supply container detachably provided in a developer receiving apparatus.

In the apparatus described in japanese patent application laid-open No.2013-015826, the developer receiving portion is guided by a guide (engaging portion) provided in the supply container, and moves so as to approach the supply container along with the mounting operation of the supply container. When the mounting of the supply container is completed, the discharge opening of the supply container and the receiving opening of the developer receiving portion are in a connected state (a state in which both openings communicate with each other). In addition, the developer receiving portion is guided by the guide, and moves so as to be separated from the supply container according to a releasing operation of the supply container. In this way, the discharge opening and the receiving opening are separated from each other (the two openings do not communicate).

In the apparatus described in japanese patent application laid-open No.2013-015826, in order to move the developer receiving portion to the supply container side in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container, the guide is inclined so as to be raised toward the supply container from the front side toward the upstream side of the supply container in the mounting direction. This is to move the engaged portion (engaged portion) of the developer receiving portion, which is in contact with the guide, by using a force applied to the supply container at the time of mounting and dismounting. However, in this case, particularly at the time of mounting the supply container, a force for displacing the developer receiving portion (specifically, the engaged portion) in the mounting direction and a force for displacing the developer receiving portion in the vertical direction are simultaneously applied, and therefore a mounting force is required.

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

The present invention relates to a structure in which a developer receiving portion including a receiving opening for receiving a developer is moved and the receiving opening is connected to a discharge opening of a supply container, and an object of the present invention is to provide smooth mounting of the supply container by reducing a mounting force required to move the developer receiving portion.

[ means for solving the problems ]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus including a developer receiving portion provided with a receiving opening for receiving a developer and a supported portion displaceable integrally with the developer receiving portion, the developer supply container comprising: a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer; a discharge portion provided with a discharge opening at a bottom side thereof for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion; a supporting portion provided at the discharging portion and capable of supporting the supported portion, the supporting portion being movable relative to the discharging portion; and a moving mechanism for moving the supporting portion upward relative to the discharging portion while supporting the supported portion to move the developer receiving portion toward the developer supply container to bring the receiving opening into communication with the discharging opening in conjunction with a mounting operation of the developer supply container to the developer receiving apparatus.

[ Effect of the invention ]

According to the present invention, the supporting portion capable of supporting the supported portion of the developer receiving portion is moved by the moving mechanism so as to displace the developer receiving portion such that the receiving opening communicates with the discharge opening, and therefore, it is possible to reduce a load for moving the developer receiving portion and to achieve smooth mounting of the supply container.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective view showing the image forming apparatus.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 3 show the developer receiving apparatus, (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a sectional view.

Parts (a), (b) and (c) of fig. 4 illustrate the developer receiving apparatus, wherein part (a) of fig. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view thereof, part (b) of fig. 4 is a partially enlarged sectional view thereof, and part (c) of fig. 4 is a perspective view of the developer receiving portion.

Parts (a), (b) and (c) of fig. 5 show the supply container of embodiment 1, where (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a partially enlarged sectional view, and (c) is a front view as viewed from the downstream side in the mounting direction.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a container body.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 7 show the flange part in embodiment 1, in which (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a bottom view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 8 are partially enlarged perspective views of the flange portion in embodiment 1, in which (a) shows a state at the start of mounting, and (b) shows a state at the completion of mounting.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 9 show the pump part, where (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a side view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 10 show the reciprocating member, where (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a perspective view from a different angle.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 11 show the cover, where (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a perspective view seen from the opposite side.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 12 show the lift portion in embodiment 1, in which (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a perspective view on the opposite side.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 13 show the baffle in embodiment 1, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a perspective view.

Parts (a), (b), (c), and (d) of fig. 14 are side views showing the operation of the developer receiving portion according to the mounting operation of the supply container, in which (a) shows a state at the start of mounting, (b) shows a state after the start of ascent, (c) shows a state during ascent, and (d) shows a state at the completion of mounting.

Parts (a), (b), (c), and (d) of fig. 15 are schematic views showing the operation of the lifting part in embodiment 1, in which (a) shows a state at the start of installation, (b) shows a state after the start of lifting, (c) shows a state during lifting, and (d) shows a state at the completion of installation.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a flange portion of embodiment 2.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing the pinion gear.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 18 show the lift portion in embodiment 2, in which (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a perspective view on the opposite side.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a baffle plate in embodiment 2.

Fig. 20 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a flange portion of embodiment 2.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 21 are schematic views showing the operation of the lifting part in embodiment 2, in which (a) shows a state at the start of lifting, and (b) shows a state at the completion of mounting.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 22 show the supply container in embodiment 3, in which (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a partially enlarged sectional view.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing a flange portion in embodiment 3.

Parts (a), (b), (c), and (d) of fig. 24 show a lifting unit part in embodiment 3, and image (a) is an overall perspective view, (b) shows a lifting part, (c) shows a lifting operation arm, and (d) shows a pressing member.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 25 show partially enlarged side views of the flange portion of embodiment 3, in which (a) shows a state at the start of mounting, and (b) shows a state at the completion of mounting.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 26 show the baffle of embodiment 3, in which (a) is a top view and (b) is a perspective view.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view showing the cover of embodiment 3.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 28 show a state when the mounting operation is started, in which (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the supply container and the developer receiving portion, and (b) is a schematic view showing positions of the lifting portion and the developer receiving portion.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 29 show a state at the time of starting the ascent, where (a) is a sectional view showing the positions of the supply container and the developer receiving portion, and (b) is a schematic view showing the relationship between the ascent portion and the developer receiving portion.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 30 show a state in the middle of rising, where (a) is a sectional view showing the positions of the supply container and the developer receiving portion, and (b) is a schematic view showing the relationship between the lift portion and the developer receiving portion.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 31 show a state when the mounting is completed, where (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the supply container and the developer receiving portion, and (b) is a schematic view showing positions of the lifting portion and the developer receiving portion.

Fig. 32 shows a developer receiving apparatus in embodiment 4, wherein (a) is a partially enlarged perspective view, and (b) is a partially enlarged sectional view.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the retraction member.

Fig. 34 is a sectional perspective view showing a supply container of embodiment 4.

Parts (a), (b) and (c) of fig. 35 show the flange part in embodiment 4, where (a) is a perspective view thereof, (b) is a sectional perspective view thereof, and (c) is a bottom view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 36 show the lift portion in embodiment 4, in which (a) is a perspective view thereof, and (b) is a side view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 37 show a state when the mounting operation is started, in which (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the supply container and the developer receiving portion, and (b) is a schematic view showing positions of the retracting member and the lifting portion.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 38 show a state at the start of rotation, in which (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the supply container and the developer receiving portion, and (b) is a schematic view showing positions of the retracting member and the lifting portion.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 39 show a state during rotation, in which (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the supply container and the developer receiving portion, and (b) is a schematic view showing positions of the retracting member and the lifting portion.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 40 show a state when the mounting is completed, in which (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the supply container and the developer receiving portion, and (b) is a schematic view showing positions of the retracting member and the lifting portion.

Fig. 41 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a flange portion in embodiment 5.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 42 show positions of the lifting portion and the regulating member at the time of starting the installation, in which (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 43 show positions of the lifting portion and the regulating member during the movement, in which (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 44 show positions of the lifting portion and the regulating member at the time of starting the lifting, in which (a) is a perspective view thereof, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 45 show positions of the lifting portion and the regulating member at the time of completion of installation, in which (a) is a perspective view thereof, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 46 show the supply container according to embodiment 6, wherein (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view.

Fig. 47 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a developer receiving apparatus in embodiment 6.

Fig. 48 is a perspective view showing a regulating member and a shutter in embodiment 6.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 49 show positions of the lifting portion and the regulating member at the start of installation, in which (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 50 show positions of the lifting portion and the regulating member during the movement, (a) is a perspective view thereof, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 51 show positions of the lifting portion and the regulating member at the time of starting the lifting, in which (a) is a perspective view thereof, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 52 show positions of the lifting portion and the regulating member at the time of completion of installation, in which (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 53 show a supply container according to embodiment 7, (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a sectional view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 54 are partially enlarged perspective views showing the lifting mechanism, in which (a) shows a state before the lifting portion is lifted, and (b) shows a state after the lifting portion is lifted.

Fig. 55 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the second switch of the lift mechanism.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 56 show the flange portion in embodiment 8, in which (a) is a perspective view seen from the bottom and (b) is a partially enlarged perspective view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 57 show the baffle in embodiment 8, in which (a) is a top view thereof, and (b) is a perspective view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 58 show positions of the lifting portion and the supported portion at the start of the mounting operation, in which (a) is a side view and (b) is a partially enlarged view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 59 show positions of the lifting portion and the supported portion at the time of starting the lifting, in which (a) is a side view thereof, and (b) is an enlarged view of a part thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 60 show positions of the lifting part and the supported part during the ascent, in which (a) is a side view thereof, and (b) is a partially enlarged view thereof.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 61 show positions of the lifting part and the supported part at the time of completion of installation, in which (a) is a side view and (b) is a partially enlarged view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 62 show a magnet member in embodiment 9, where (a) is a top view thereof, and (b) is a perspective view thereof.

Parts (a), (b) and (c) of fig. 63 show a flange portion in embodiment 9, where (a) is a side view thereof, (b) is a partially enlarged view thereof (refer to japanese), and (c) is a partially enlarged perspective view thereof.

Fig. 64 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a flange portion in embodiment 10.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 65 show the counterweight, in which (a) is a perspective view thereof, and (b) is a front view thereof.

Fig. 66 is a perspective view showing a flange portion in embodiment 10.

Fig. 67 is a perspective view showing a lifting part in embodiment 10.

Fig. 68 is a perspective view showing a baffle plate in embodiment 10.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 69 show the flange portion in embodiment 10, in which (a) is a side view and (b) is a partially enlarged view.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 70 show a state when the mounting operation is started, in which (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the weight and the shutter, and (b) is a side view showing positions of the lifting portion and the developer receiving portion.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 71 show a state at the time of starting the lifting, in which (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the weight and the shutter, and (b) is a side view showing positions of the lifting portion and the developer receiving portion.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 72 show a state in the middle of rising, where (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the weight and the shutter, and (b) is a side view showing positions of the lifting portion and the developer receiving portion.

Parts (a) and (b) of fig. 73 show a state when the ascent is completed, where (a) is a sectional view showing positions of the weight and the shutter, and (b) is a side view showing positions of the lifting portion and the developer receiving portion.

Fig. 74 is a sectional view showing positions of the weight, shutter, and developer receiving portion at the time of completion of mounting.

Fig. 75 is a side view showing a flange portion in embodiment 11.

Fig. 76 is a side view showing the operation of the lifting portion.

Parts (a), (b), (c), and (d) of fig. 77 show a conventional example in which (a) shows a state at the start of mounting, (b) shows a state at the start of rising, (c) shows a state in the middle of rising, and (d) shows a state at the completion of mounting.

Detailed Description

< example 1>

Hereinafter, embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 18. First, an image forming apparatus capable of using the present invention is described with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

[ image forming apparatus ]

In fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an original reading device 103 at the top of the main assembly 100a of the image forming apparatus. An original 101 is placed on an original platen glass 102. An optical image corresponding to image information of the original 101 is imaged on a photosensitive drum 104, which is a cylindrical photosensitive member as an image bearing member, using a plurality of mirrors M and lenses Ln of the original reading device 103 to form an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is visualized by a dry developing device (one-component developing device) 201 using a toner (one-component magnetic toner) as a developer (dry powder). Here, in the present embodiment, a one-component magnetic toner is used as the developer to be supplied from the developer supply container 1 (also referred to as a supply device), but the present invention is not limited to such an example, and may have a structure to be described below.

More specifically, in the case of using a one-component developing device that performs a developing operation using a one-component non-magnetic toner, the one-component non-magnetic toner is supplied as a developer. In addition, the non-magnetic toner is supplied as a developer when a two-component developer is used, whereby an image is developed using the two-component developer prepared by mixing a magnetic carrier and the non-magnetic toner. In this case, as the developer, a structure may be adopted in which the magnetic carrier is also supplied together with the nonmagnetic toner.

As described above, the developing device 201 shown in fig. 1 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 using toner as a developer based on the image information of the original 101. In addition, the developer supply system 200 is connected to the developing device 201, and the developer supply system 200 includes a developer supply container 1 and a developer receiving apparatus 8, the developer supply container 1 being attachable and detachable with respect to the developer receiving apparatus. The developer supply system 200 will be described hereinafter.

The developing device 201 includes a developer hopper portion 201a and a developing roller 201f. In this developer hopper portion 201a, an agitating member 201c for agitating the developer supplied from the supply container 1 is provided. The developer agitated by the agitating member 201c is fed to the feeding member (201 e) side by the feeding member 201 d. Also, the developer that has been sequentially fed by the

feeding members

201e and 201b is carried on the developing roller 201f, and is finally supplied to the developing area opposed to the photosensitive drum 104. In the present embodiment, a one-component developer is used, and therefore, toner is supplied as a developer from the supply container 1 to the developing device 201, but when a two-component developer is used, toner and carrier may be supplied as a developer from the supply container.

The cartridges 105 to 108 contain a recording material S such as paper. When an image is to be formed, a cassette containing an optimum recording material S among sheets contained in these cassettes 105 to 108 is selected based on information input by an operator (user) on an operation portion 100d (fig. 2) of the image forming apparatus 100 or based on the size of the original 101. Here, the recording material S is not limited to paper, but may be an OHP sheet or the like as appropriate. A sheet of recording material S fed by the feeding and separating devices 105A to 108A is fed to the registration rollers 110 by means of the feeding section 109. Then, the recording material S is fed in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 104 and the scanning timing of the original reading device 103.

A transfer charging device 111 and a separation charging device 112 are provided at positions opposing the photosensitive drum 104 on the downstream side of the registration roller 110 in the recording material feeding direction. An image (toner image) of the developer formed on the photosensitive drum 104 is transferred onto the recording material S fed by the registration roller 110 by the transfer charging device 111. Also, the recording material S on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 104 by the separation charging device 112. Subsequently, heat and pressure are applied to the recording material S fed by the feeding portion 113 in the fixing portion 114, so that the toner is fixed on the recording material. Thereafter, in the case of one-sided copying, the recording material S to which the toner image is fixed passes through a discharge/reverse portion 115, and is discharged to a discharge tray 117 by a discharge roller 116.

On the other hand, in the case of double-sided copying, the recording material S passes through the discharging/reversing section 115, and is once partially discharged to the outside of the apparatus by the discharging roller 116. Thereafter, when the rear end portion of the recording material S passes through the switching member 118 and is still nipped by the discharge roller 116, the position of the switching member 118 is switched and the discharge roller 116 rotates counterclockwise, by which means the recording material S is fed into the apparatus again. Thereafter, the recording material S is fed to the registration roller 110 through the re-feeding portion 119 and the feeding portion 120, and is discharged to the discharge tray 117 by the same path as in the case of one-sided copying.

In the image forming apparatus 100 having the above-described configuration, image forming process means such as the developing device 201, the cleaner section 202, the primary charging device 203, and the like are provided around the photosensitive drum 104. Here, the developing device 201 supplies developer to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 104 based on the image information of the original 101 read by the original reading device 103, so as to develop the electrostatic latent image. In addition, the primary charging device 203 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum to form a desired electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 104. Further, the cleaner portion 202 has a function of removing the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 104.

As shown in fig. 2, when the operator opens the replacement cover 100b, which is a part of the outer cover of the apparatus main assembly 100a of the image forming apparatus 100, a part of the developer receiving apparatus 8, which will be described later, can be seen. Also, by inserting the supply container 1 into this developer receiving apparatus 8, the supply container 1 is mounted in a state where it can supply the developer to the developer receiving apparatus 8. On the other hand, when the operator replaces the supply container 1, it performs a detaching operation reverse to the loading operation by which the supply container 1 is detached from the developer receiving apparatus 8, and thereafter a new supply container 1 can be mounted. Here, the replacement cover 100b is a cover dedicated to mounting/dismounting (replacement) of the supply container 1, and is opened and closed only for dismounting/mounting the developer supply container 1. On the other hand, the maintenance operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is performed by opening/closing the front cover 100 c. Here, the replacement cover 100b and the front cover 100c may be integrated together. In this case, replacement of the supply container 1 and maintenance of the image forming apparatus 100 are performed by opening and closing an integrated cover (not shown).

[ developer receiving apparatus ]

Next, the developer receiving apparatus 8 constituting the developer supply system 200 will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 3 to part (c) of fig. 4. As shown in part (a) of fig. 3, the developer receiving apparatus 8 is provided with a mounting portion (mounting space) 8f to which the supply container 1 can be detachably mounted. The mounting portion 8f is provided with an insertion guide 8e for guiding the supply container 1 in the mounting and dismounting direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the structure is such that the mounting direction of the supply container 1 is the direction indicated by a, and the dismounting direction B of the supply container 1 is opposite to the mounting direction a of the supply container 1 by the insertion guide 8 e.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 3 to part (a) of fig. 4, the developer receiving apparatus 8 has a drive gear 9 serving as a drive mechanism for driving the supply container 1. A rotational driving force is transmitted from the driving motor 500 to the driving gear 9 by means of a driving gear train (not shown), so that the driving gear 9 applies the rotational driving force to the supply container 1 mounted in the mounting portion 8f. The operation of the driving motor 500 is controlled by the control device 600. The control device 600 controls the entirety of the image forming apparatus 100 in addition to controlling the driving motor 500. The control device 600 has a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory), and a RAM (random access memory). The CPU controls each section while reading a program corresponding to the control procedure stored in the ROM. In addition, the work data and the input data are stored in the RAM, and the CPU performs control while looking up the data stored in the RAM based on a program or the like.

In the mounting portion 8f of the developer receiving apparatus 8, a developer receiving portion 11 for receiving the developer discharged from the supply container 1 is provided. The developer receiving portion 11 is connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 (part (b) of fig. 5) of the supply container 1 when the supply container 1 is mounted, and has a receiving opening 11a for receiving the developer discharged through the container discharge opening 3a4. The developer receiving portion 11 is mounted so as to be movable (displaceable) in a direction in which the receiving opening 11a moves toward and away from the container discharge opening 3a4 (in the vertical direction with respect to the developer receiving apparatus 8 in the present embodiment). In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in part (b) of fig. 3, the developer receiving portion 11 is urged by an urging member (e.g., a coil spring) 12 in a direction in which the receiving opening 11a moves away from the container discharge opening 3a4 (vertically downward). Therefore, when the receiving opening 11a moves toward the container discharge opening 3a4 (upward in the vertical direction), the developer receiving portion 11 moves against the urging force of the urging member 12.

In addition, as shown in part (a) of fig. 4,

shutter stopper portions

8a and 8b are provided on a mounting portion 8f of the developer receiving apparatus 8 in an upstream side of the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a). In the supply container 1 which moves relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8 during mounting and dismounting, the

shutter stopper portions

8a and 8b restrict only the relative movement of the shutter 4 (part (a) of fig. 9, etc.) relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8, which will be described later. In this case, the baffle 4 moves relative to a portion (e.g., a container body 2 or the like which will be described later) of the supply container 1 other than the baffle 4.

As shown in part (b) of fig. 3 and part (b) of fig. 4, below the developer receiving apparatus 8 in the vertical direction, a sub-hopper 8c for temporarily storing the developer supplied from the supply container 1 is provided. In this sub-hopper 8c, there are provided a feed screw 14 for feeding the developer to a developer hopper portion 201a (fig. 1) which is a part of the developing device 201, and an opening 8d communicating with the developer hopper portion 201 a.

As shown in part (c) of fig. 4, a main assembly seal 13 formed to surround the receiving opening 11a is provided in the developer receiving portion 11. The main assembly seal 13 includes an elastic member, foam, or the like. With the supply container 1 mounted, the main assembly seal 13 and the opening seal 3a5 (part (b) of fig. 5) surrounding the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1 sandwich the shutter 4 (part (a) of fig. 13) in a state of being in close contact with the shutter 4. Thereby, the developer discharged from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1 to the receiving opening 11a through the shutter opening 4j of the shutter 4 is prevented from leaking out of the receiving opening 11a (developer feeding path).

Here, it is desirable that the diameter of the receiving opening 11a is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the shutter opening 4j of the shutter 4 in order to prevent the inside of the mounting portion 8f from being contaminated by the developer. This is because if the diameter of the receiving opening 11a is smaller than the diameter of the shutter opening 4j, the developer discharged from the shutter opening 4j is more likely to be deposited on the upper surface of the main assembly seal 13. This becomes a cause of contamination of the developer if the developer is deposited on the lower surface of the supply container 1 at the time of the attachment/detachment operation of the supply container 1. In view of this, the diameter of the receiving opening 11a is preferably substantially equal to the diameter of the baffle opening 4j or about 2mm larger than the diameter of the baffle opening. For example, in the case where the diameter of the shutter opening 4j of the shutter 4 is a fine hole (pinhole) having a diameter of about 2mm, the diameter of the receiving opening 11a is preferably about 3mm.

In addition, as shown in part (c) of fig. 4, on the side surface of the developer receiving portion 11, a supported portion (supported portion) 11b that protrudes toward the center side is provided. In the case of the present embodiment, the supported portion 11b is supported at the bottom portion by the lift portion 30 (portion (a) of fig. 8) (which will be described later). Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the operation of the lifting portion 30 moves the developer receiving portion by means of the supported portion 11b. The lift portion 30 will be described hereinafter.

[ supply container ]

Next, the supply container 1 constituting the developer supply system 200 will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 5 to part (b) of fig. 13. First, referring to parts (a) and (b) of fig. 5, the overall structure of the supply container 1 will be described. The supply container 1 mainly includes a container body 2, a flange portion 3, a baffle 4, a pump portion 5, a reciprocating member 6, a lid 7, and a lift portion 30. The supply container body 2 supplies the developer to the developer receiving apparatus 8 by rotating about a rotation axis P shown in part (a) of fig. 5 in a direction indicated by an arrow R in the developer receiving apparatus 8 (part (a) of fig. 3). Hereinafter, each element constituting the supply container 1 will be described in detail.

[ Container body ]

As shown in fig. 6, the container body 2 mainly includes a developer accommodating portion 2c for accommodating the developer. In addition, the container body 2 is provided with a spiral feeding groove 2a (feeding portion) for feeding the developer in the developer accommodating portion 2c by rotating the container body 2 about the rotation axis P in the direction of the arrow R. In addition, as shown in fig. 6, a cam groove 2b and a drive receiving portion (gear) 2d for receiving a driving force from the main assembly side are integrally formed on one end portion side over the entire periphery of the outer circumferential surface of the container body 2. Here, in the present embodiment, the cam groove 2b and the drive receiving portion (gear) 2d are formed integrally with the container body 2, but the cam groove 2b or the drive receiving portion 2d may be formed as a separate member and may be integrally attached to the container body 2. In addition, in the present embodiment, for example, a toner having a volume average particle diameter of 5 μm to 6 μm is accommodated as a developer in the developer accommodating portion 2c. In addition, in the present embodiment, the developer accommodating portion 2c includes not only the container body 2 but also an inner space of the flange portion 3 and the pump portion 5 which will be described later.

[ Flange portion ]

The flange portion 3 will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 5 to part (b) of fig. 8. The flange portion 3 is mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the container body 2 about a rotation axis P. Also, when the developer supply container 1 is mounted to the developer receiving apparatus 8 (part (a) of fig. 3), the flange portion 3 is held so as not to rotate in the direction of arrow R with respect to the mounting portion 8f (part (a) of fig. 3). In view of ease of assembly, the flange portion 3 includes an upper flange portion 31 and a lower flange portion 32 to which the pump portion 5, the reciprocating member 6, the baffle 4, the cover 7, and the lifting portion 30 are assembled as described below.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 5, the pump portion 5 is screwed to one end side of the upper flange portion 31, and the container body 2 is coupled to the other end side with a seal member (not shown) therebetween. In addition, the reciprocating member 6 mounts the pump portion 5 therebetween, and an engaging projection 6b (part (a) of fig. 10) provided on the reciprocating member 6 is fitted into a cam groove 2b (fig. 6) of the container body 2. In addition, the baffle 4 is incorporated between the upper flange portion 31 and the lower flange portion 32. In the present embodiment, the flange portion 3 and the shutter 4 constitute a discharging portion 700 for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion 2c. The surface on which the baffle 4 is provided is the bottom surface of the flange portion 3. Also, for the purpose of improving the appearance and protecting the reciprocating member 6 and the pump portion 5, a cover 7 is integrally assembled to cover the flange portion 3, the pump portion 5, and the reciprocating member 6 as a whole, as shown in part (b) of fig. 5. Here, as shown in part (c) of fig. 5, the lift portion 30 described later is disposed below a plane H including the rotation axis P. This plane H including the rotation axis P is a horizontal plane and the lifting portion 30 is located below this horizontal plane.

[ Upper flange portion ]

The upper flange portion 31 will be described. The upper flange portion 31 shown in part (a) of fig. 7 is provided with a pump joint portion 3a1 screwed to the pump portion 5, a container body joint portion 3a2 to which the container body 2 is connected, and a storage portion 3a3 for storing the developer conveyed from the container body 2. In addition, as shown in part (b) of fig. 7, the upper flange portion 31 is provided on the bottom surface with a circular container discharge opening 3a4 for discharging the developer of the storage portion 3a3 to the developer receiving apparatus 8, and an opening seal 3a5 disposed so as to surround the container discharge opening 3a4. Here, the opening seal 3a5 is attached to the lower surface of the upper flange portion 31 with, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape or the like, and is sandwiched between the shutter 4 and the upper flange portion 31 to be described later, so that the developer can be prevented from leaking from the container discharge opening 3a4.

Here, as described above, the diameter of the container discharge opening 3a4 is about 2mm, so that the developer is not unnecessarily discharged when the shutter 4 is opened and closed due to the mounting and dismounting operations of the supply container 1 to the developer receiving apparatus 8, thereby making the periphery of the developer receiving apparatus free from contamination with the developer. Here, in the present embodiment, although the container discharge opening 3a4 is formed on the lower surface side of the supply container 1, more specifically, on the bottom side of the upper flange portion 31, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the container discharge opening 3a4 may be formed on a side other than an upstream-side end surface or a downstream-side end surface in the mounting direction of the supply container 1 to the developer receiving apparatus 8. Even in this case, the connection structure shown in the present embodiment can be applied. When the container discharge opening 3a4 is formed on the side surface, the position thereof may be selected in consideration of the specific situation of the product.

[ lower flange part ]

The lower flange portion 32 will be described. As shown in part (a) of fig. 7, the lower flange portion 32 is provided with a baffle insertion portion 3b1 into which a baffle 4 (part (a) of fig. 13) to be described later is inserted. The lower flange portion 32 is integrated with the upper flange portion 31 in a state where the baffle 4 is inserted into the baffle insertion portion 3b 1.

In the case of the present embodiment, the paired lift holding portions 3b (portion (a) in fig. 12) for holding the lift portion 30 described later extend from the lower side to the upper side on respective sides in the width direction of the lower flange portion 32 that intersects the attachment/detachment direction of the supply container 1 and intersects the vertical direction. As shown in part (a) of fig. 8 and part (b) of fig. 8, the pair of lift holding portions 3b arranged facing each other in the mounting direction of the supply container 1 hold the lift portion 30 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. In the case of the present embodiment, the lift holding portion 3b is formed in a concave shape so as to be engageable with a fitting portion 30a (portion (a) of fig. 12) of the lift portion 30 which is formed protrudingly. And, below the pair of lift holding portions 3b, lift stopper portions 3c extending from one side to the other side are formed. When a force that lifts the lift portion 30 upward in the vertical direction is not applied, the lift stopper portion 3c abuts the lift portion 30 that descends in the vertical direction due to its own weight.

[ Pump portion ]

The pump section 5 will be described with reference to parts (a) and (b) of fig. 9. The pump portion 5 alternately and repeatedly changes the internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion 2c by the driving force (fig. 6) received by the drive receiving portion 2d of the container body 2 to switch between a state lower than the atmospheric pressure and a state higher than the atmospheric pressure. In the present embodiment, in order to stably discharge the developer through the small container discharge opening 3a4 as described above, the pump portion 5 is provided at a part of the supply container 1. The pump portion 5 is a variable volume type pump whose volume can be changed. More specifically, the pump portion 5 employed in the present embodiment has a bellows-like stretchable member capable of expansion and contraction.

The pressure inside the supply container 1 is changed by the expansion and contraction operation of the pump portion 5, and the developer is discharged by using the pressure. More specifically, when the pump portion 5 contracts, the inside of the supply container 1 enters a compressed state, and the developer is pushed out to be discharged through the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1. In addition, when the pump portion 5 is extended, the inside of the supply container 1 is brought into a depressurized state, and air is sucked from the outside through the container discharge opening 3a4. By the sucked air, the developer in the container discharge opening 3a4 and in the vicinity of the storage portion 3a3 (portion (a) of fig. 7) storing the developer conveyed from the container body 2 to the flange portion 3 is loosened, and can be smoothly discharged. That is, in the vicinity of the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1 and the vicinity of the storage portion 3a3, the developer in the supply container 1 may be aggregated due to vibration or the like imparted at the time of transporting the supply container 1, possibly causing the developer to be agglomerated in this portion. Therefore, as described above, air is sucked through the container discharge opening 3a4, so that the developer having agglomerated can be loosened. In addition, in the usual discharging operation of the developer, when air is sucked as described above, the air and the powder as the developer are mixed, with the result that the fluidity of the developer is enhanced, and therefore, clogging of the developer is not likely to occur, which is an additional advantage.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 9, in the pump portion 5, a joint portion 5B is provided so as to be able to be coupled to the upper flange portion 31 on the opening end side (disassembly direction B). In the present embodiment, a thread is formed as the joint portion 5b. In addition, as shown in part (b) of fig. 9, the pump portion 5 has a reciprocating member engaging portion 5c on the other end side, which is engaged with a reciprocating member 6 (part (a) of fig. 10), which will be described later.

In addition, as shown in part (b) of fig. 9, the pump portion 5 has bellows-like expandable portions (bellows portions, expansion and contraction members) 5a on which peaks and valleys are periodically alternately formed. The expansion and contraction portion 5a can be folded by moving the reciprocating member engaging portion 5c in the direction of the arrow B along a folding line (with the folding line as a base point), or expanded by moving the reciprocating member engaging portion in the direction of the arrow a along the folding line. Therefore, when the bellows-shaped pump portion 5 is employed in the present embodiment, the deviation of the volume change with respect to the expansion amount and the contraction amount can be reduced, and therefore, a stable volume change can be achieved.

Here, in the present embodiment, polypropylene resin is used as the material of the pump portion 5, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As for the material (material) of the pump portion 5, any material may be used as long as it has an expansion and contraction function and is capable of changing the internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion 2c by changing the volume. For example, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene, or the like can be used. Alternatively, rubber, other stretchable materials, or the like may be used.

[ reciprocating Member ]

The reciprocating member 6 will be described with reference to part (a) and part (b) of fig. 10. As shown in parts (a) and (b) of fig. 10, in order to change the volume of the pump portion 5, the reciprocating member 6 is provided with a pump engaging portion 6a (part (b) of fig. 10) which engages with a reciprocating member engaging portion 5c (part (b) of fig. 9) provided on the pump portion. In addition, the reciprocating member 6 is provided with an engaging projection 6b to be engaged with the above cam groove 2b (fig. 6) at the time of assembly. The engaging projection 6B is provided at a free end portion of the arm 6c, which extends from the vicinity of the pump engaging portion 6a in the mounting and dismounting direction (arrows a and B in the drawing). In addition, the reciprocating member 6 is regulated in rotation about the rotation axis P (part (a) of fig. 5) of the arm 6c by a reciprocating member holding portion 7b (part (b) of fig. 11) of the cover 7 to be described later. Therefore, when the container body 2 is driven by the drive receiving portion 2d through the drive gear 9 and the cam groove 2B is integrally rotated, the reciprocating member 6 is reciprocated back and forth in the directions a and B by the urging action of the engaging projection 6B fitted in the cam groove 2B and the reciprocating member holding portion 7B of the cap 7. Thus, the pump portion 5 engaged with the pump engagement portion 6a of the reciprocating member 6 by means of the reciprocating member engagement portion 5c expands and contracts in the directions B and a.

[ cover ]

The cover 7 will be described with reference to parts (a) and (b) of fig. 11. As described above, as shown in part (b) of fig. 5, the cover 7 is provided in order to improve the appearance of the supply container 1 and protect the reciprocating member 6 and the pump part 5. In more detail, the cover 7 is provided integrally with the upper flange portion 31 and the lower flange portion 32, etc., so as to cover the entirety of the flange portion 3, the pump portion 5, and the reciprocating member 6. As shown in part (a) of fig. 11, the cover 7 is provided with a guide groove 7a to be guided by an insertion guide 8e (part (a) of fig. 3) of the developer receiving apparatus 8. In addition, as shown in part (b) of fig. 11, the cover 7 is provided with a reciprocating member holding portion 7b for restricting the rotation of the reciprocating member 6 about the rotation axis P (part (a) of fig. 5).

[ lifting part ]

The lifting portion 30 will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 12 and part (b) of fig. 12. The lifting portion 30 as a supporting portion is provided with a fitting portion 30a, a shutter sliding portion 30b, a receiving supporting portion 30c, and a lifting body portion 30d. The fitting portion 30a is formed at each end portion of the lifting main assembly portion 30d with respect to the mounting and dismounting direction of the supply container 1, and is engaged with the lifting holding portion 3b (portion (a) of fig. 8) of the flange portion 3. Thereby, the lift portion 30 is slidably held in the vertical direction with respect to the flange portion 3.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 12, the lifting main assembly portion 30d is formed such that the receiving supporting portion 30c protrudes in the width direction and extends in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) of the supply container 1. The receiving supporting portion 30c may support a supported portion (supported portion) 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 in the vertical direction (part (c) of fig. 4). In addition, as shown in part (b) of fig. 12, on the surface of the lifting main assembly portion 30d opposite to the receiving supporting portion 30c, a shutter sliding portion 30b as a sliding portion projects in the width direction and extends in the mounting direction of the supply container 1. However, the length of the shutter sliding portion 30b is shorter than the length of the receiving support portion 30c in the mounting direction, and is disposed on the upstream side of the center of the lifting main assembly portion 30d. Here, in the case of the present embodiment, the receiving support portion 30c is substantially parallel to the mounting direction or the direction of the rotation axis P (part (a) of fig. 5), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the receiving support portion 30c may be inclined.

Further, in the shutter sliding portion 30b, a front end portion surface 30ba in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow a) is formed in an inclined shape. In more detail, as will be described later, when the supply container 1 is attached or detached, the shutter sliding portion 30b slides with respect to the shutter inclined portion 4f (portion (b) of fig. 13) of the shutter 4. Here, in order to smoothly slide with respect to the shutter inclined portion 4f at this time, the free end surface 30ba of the shutter sliding portion 30b is inclined, and the inclination angle thereof with respect to the attaching and detaching direction of the supply container 1 is substantially the same as that of the shutter inclined portion 4f.

[ baffle ]

The baffle 4 will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 13 and part (b) of fig. 13. The shutter 4 slides on the shutter insertion portion 3b1 (portion (a) in fig. 7) of the lower flange portion 32, and is movable relative to a portion (flange portion 3) of the supply container 1. The shutter 4 has a shutter opening 4j to open and close a container discharge opening 3a4 as a discharge opening of the supply container 1 in association with mounting and dismounting operations of the supply container 1. With the shutter 4, the shutter opening 4j and the container discharge opening 3a4 communicate with each other by moving relative to the supply container 1 in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container 1, and further, the shutter opening 4j and the opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 communicate with each other. Thereby, the developer inside the supply container 1 can be discharged to the receiving opening 11a. That is, a discharge portion 700 (part (b) of fig. 5) for discharging the developer is constituted by the flange portion 3 and the shutter 4, and a shutter opening 4j as a discharge opening for discharging the developer is formed in the shutter 4 of the discharge portion 700.

On the other hand, as shown in part (a) of fig. 13 and part (b) of fig. 13, the developer sealing portion 4a is provided at a position deviated from the shutter opening 4j of the shutter 4. When the shutter 4 moves relative to the supply container 1 in accordance with an operation of detaching the supply container 1, the developer sealing portion 4a closes the container discharge opening 3a4. In addition, when the supply container 1 is not mounted to the mounting portion 8f (portion (a) of fig. 3) of the developer receiving apparatus 8, the developer sealing portion 4a prevents the developer from leaking through the container discharge opening 3a4. A sliding surface slidable on the shutter insertion portion 3b1 of the flange portion 3 is provided on the back surface side (developer receiving portion 11 side) of the developer sealing portion 4a. Here, the shutter 4 is engaged with the flange portion 3 in a state where the developer seal portion 4a faces upward.

The shutter 4 includes

stopper portions

4b, 4c held by

shutter stopper portions

8a, 8b (portion (a) in fig. 4) of the developer receiving apparatus 8 so that the supply container 1 can move relative to the shutter 4. During the mounting operation of the supply container 1, the first stopper portions 4b of the

stopper portions

4b and 4c engage with the first shutter stopper portion 8a of the developer receiving apparatus 8 to fix the position of the shutter 4 relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8. During the dismounting operation of the supply container 1, the second stopper portion 4c is engaged with the second shutter stopper portion 8b of the developer receiving apparatus 8.

In addition, the shutter 4 has a support portion 4d that displaceably supports the

stopper portions

4b and 4c. In order to displaceably support the first stopper portion 4b and the second stopper portion 4c, the support portion 4d extends from the developer seal portion 4a and can be elastically deformed. Here, the first stopping portion 4b is inclined, and an angle α formed by the first stopping portion 4b and the supporting portion 4d is an acute angle. In contrast, the second stopper portion 4c is inclined, and the angle β formed by the second stopper portion 4c and the support portion 4d is an obtuse angle.

The shutter opening 4j is a discharge opening for discharging the developer in the supply container 1 to the outside, and when the shutter 4 slides relative to the flange portion 3, the developer in the supply container 1 can be discharged to the outside only when the container discharge opening 3a4 and the shutter opening 4j communicate with each other. If the container discharge opening 3a4 and the shutter opening 4j do not communicate with each other, the developer sealing portion 4a closes the container discharge opening 3a4 and prevents the developer from leaking to the outside of the supply container 1.

In the present embodiment, the baffle 4 is employed to operate the lift portion 30. To achieve this, as shown in part (b) of fig. 13, a baffle inclined portion 4f as an inclined portion is provided on the baffle 4 so as to protrude from the support portion 4d. The baffle plate inclined portion 4f is inclined such that the length measured in the vertical direction gradually increases from the upstream side (front side) toward the downstream side (rear side) in the mounting direction (arrow a direction) of the supply container 1. In other words, the shutter inclined portion 4f has an inclined surface that decreases from the downstream side toward the upstream side in the mounting direction toward the developer receiving portion. In more detail, as described below, when the supply container 1 moves relative to the baffle 4, the lift portion 30 also moves relative to the baffle 4. In this case, when the shutter sliding portion 30b of the lift portion 30 slides with respect to the shutter inclined portion 4f, the lift portion 30 moves vertically in the vertical direction along the shutter inclined portion 4f.

Here, the inclined surface of the baffle inclined portion 4f is not limited to a straight line as shown in part (b) of fig. 13. The shape of the baffle inclined portion 4f may be, for example, a curved shape as long as the lift portion 30 can move in the vertical direction. However, the linearly inclined shape is desirable from the viewpoint of making the operation force according to the mounting and dismounting operations of the supply container 1 constant. Here, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the baffle inclined portion 4f with respect to the attaching/detaching direction of the supply container 1 is, for example, about 10 to 50 degrees. In this embodiment, the angle is about 40 degrees.

[ operation of developer receiving portion ]

The connecting operation of the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1 by the lifting portion 30 will be described in the time sequence of the mounting operation of the supply container 1 to the developer receiving apparatus 8 with reference to part (a) to part (b) of fig. 13, part (a) to (d) of fig. 14, and the like of fig. 12. Part (a) of fig. 14 and part (a) of fig. 15 show a state when the mounting of the supply container 1 is started. Part (b) of fig. 14 and part (b) of fig. 15 show a state where the rising of the lift portion 30 starts. Part (c) of fig. 14 and part (c) of fig. 15 show a state in which the lift portion 30 is rising, and part (d) of fig. 14 and part (d) of fig. 15 show a state when the mounting of the supply container 1 is completed. Parts (a) to (d) of fig. 14 show the vicinity of the connection between the supply container 1 and the developer receiving portion 11. Parts (a) to (d) of fig. 15 specifically show the relationship between the baffle 4 and the lift portion 30. Here, the mounting operation is an operation before the developer can be supplied from the supply container 1 to the developer receiving apparatus 8.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 14, at the time of starting the mounting of the supply container 1, the first stopper portion 4b of the shutter 4 has not yet come into contact with the first shutter stopper portion 8a of the developer receiving apparatus 8, and therefore, the shutter 4 and the lift portion 30 integrally move in the supply container 1 without moving relative to each other. When the shutter 4 and the lift portion 30 are integrally moved, the inclined portion 4f of the shutter 4 and the shutter sliding portion 30b are maintained in a non-contact state where they do not contact each other, as shown in part (a) of fig. 15. When the inclined portion 4f and the shutter sliding portion 30b are in the non-contact state, the lift portion 30 is at the lowermost position abutting against the lift stopper portion 3c, and the receiving support portion 30c of the lift portion 30 does not support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11. As described previously, the developer receiving portion 11 is urged by the urging member 12 (part (b) of fig. 3) in a direction away from the supply container 1, and therefore, the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1. Here, the container discharge opening 3a4 is sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4.

When the supply container 1 is inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 14 to the downstream side in the mounting direction, the state becomes as shown in part (b) of fig. 14. In this case, the first stopper portion 4b of the shutter 4 and the first shutter stopper portion 8a of the developer receiving apparatus 8 are engaged with each other. Thereby, the position of the shutter 4 relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8 is fixed. In this way, by maintaining the position of the shutter 4 relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8, the movement of the shutter 4 relative to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) is stopped, but the movement of the supply container 1 relative to the developer receiving portion 11 other than the shutter 4 in the mounting direction is maintained. In addition, as shown in part (b) of fig. 15, the shutter inclined portion 4f and the shutter sliding portion 30b start to contact each other. In addition, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 starts to be supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving and supporting portion 30c of the lifting portion 30. That is, the lifting portion 30 moves to a position (or supportable position) where the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported by the receiving and supporting portion 30c. In this case, the shutter opening 4j reaches above the receiving opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 in the vertical direction, while the container discharge opening 3a4 is maintained in a state of being sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4. However, as shown in part (b) of fig. 14, the developer receiving portion 11 is not displaced from its initial position, and the receiving opening 11a is in a state of being separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 (shutter opening 4 j).

Subsequently, when the supply container 1 is inserted further to the downstream side in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (b) of fig. 14, the supply container 1 is moved in the mounting direction with respect to the baffle 4 as shown in part (c) of fig. 14. In addition, in this case, as shown in part (c) of fig. 15, the shutter sliding portion 30b moves upward along the inclined portion 4f while sliding on the shutter inclined portion 4f according to the mounting operation of the supply container 1. Thereby, the lift portion 30 is moved substantially upward in the vertical direction. Also, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving supporting portion 30c of the lifting portion 30, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 12.

Subsequently, when the supply container 1 is inserted further toward the downstream side in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (c) of fig. 14, as in the former case, the supply container 1 is moved in the mounting direction relative to the baffle 4, whereby the supply container 1 reaches the mounting completion position, as shown in part (d) of fig. 14. The positional relationship of the container discharge opening 3a4 and the lift portion 30 at the mounting completion position is such that a plane L (a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passing through the container discharge opening 3a4 passes through the lift portion 30 as shown in part (d) of fig. 14. In addition, a plane including the receiving support portion 30c (portion (a) of fig. 12) of the lifting portion 30 is disposed between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening 3a4. Also, as shown in part (d) of fig. 15, in a state where the shutter sliding portion 30b reaches the top portion of the shutter inclined portion 4f, the lift portion 30 stops moving upward in the vertical direction. In this case, in the developer receiving portion 11 supported by the supporting portion 11b by the lifting portion 30, the receiving opening 11a is connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1. In this way, a state in which the developer can be supplied is established. In more detail, the developer in the developer accommodating portion 2c of the container body 2 can be supplied from the storage portion 3a3 to the sub-hopper 8c through the container discharge opening 3a4 and the receiving opening 11a by the above-described reciprocating movement of the pump portion 5.

Here, as shown in part (d) of fig. 15, when the supply container 1 reaches the mounting completion position with respect to the developer receiving apparatus 8, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is pressed against the receiving supporting portion 30c of the lift portion 30 by the urging force of the urging member 12. Therefore, the position of the developer receiving portion 11 in the vertical direction is maintained in a stable state.

Next, the operation of the lifting portion 30 according to the removal operation of the supply container 1 from the developer receiving apparatus 8 will be described. Here, the removal operation of the supply container 1 is performed in the reverse order of the above-described installation operation. That is, the supply container 1 is detached from the developer receiving apparatus 8 in accordance with the order from part (d) of fig. 14 and part (d) of fig. 15 to part (a) of fig. 14 and part (a) of fig. 15. Here, the detaching operation is an operation to prepare for taking out the supply container 1 from the developer receiving apparatus 8.

At the mounting completion position shown in part (d) of fig. 14, when the amount of developer in the supply container 1 decreases, a message prompting the operator to replace the supply container 1 is displayed on a monitor (not shown) provided on the image forming apparatus 100 (fig. 1). The operator who prepares a new supply container 1 opens the replacement cover 100B of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in fig. 2, and pulls out the supply container 1 from the developer receiving apparatus 8 in the detaching direction (the direction of arrow B). In this process, the second stopper portion 4c of the shutter 4 comes into contact with the second shutter stopper portion 8b of the developer receiving apparatus 8, and therefore, the shutter 4 is not displaced in the dismounting direction according to the operation of dismounting the supply container 1. That is, the supply container 1 moves relative to the baffle 4. In the present embodiment, the shutter 4 cannot be displaced relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8 before the supply container 1 is taken out (position from part (d) of fig. 14 to part (b) of fig. 14), and the supply container 1 moves relative to the shutter 4.

At this time, as shown in part (d) of fig. 15 and part (b) of fig. 15, the developer receiving portion 11 moves downward in the vertical direction in accordance with the detaching operation of the supply container 1. That is, when the supply container 1 and the barrier 4 are relatively moved, the barrier sliding portion 30b is moved downward along the barrier inclined portion 4f by the weight of the lifting portion 30 itself and the urging force of the urging member 12 so as to slide down along the barrier inclined portion 4f. Thereby, the lift portion 30 moves downward substantially in the vertical direction, and the developer receiving portion 11 moves downward in the vertical direction by the supported portion 11b supported by the receiving and supporting portion 30c of the lift portion 30. And, accompanying the further detaching operation of the supply container 1, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved downward in the vertical direction by the lift portion 30, and reaches the position shown in part (a) of fig. 15, thereby completing the separating operation of the developer receiving portion 11 from the supply container 1 by the lift portion 30.

Thereafter, when the supply container 1 is moved further outward in the dismounting direction, the second stopper portion 4c of the shutter 4 abuts against the second shutter stopper portion 8b of the developer receiving apparatus 8. Thereby, the second stopper portion 4c of the shutter 4 is elastically deformed along the inclined surface of the second shutter stopper portion 8b, so that the shutter 4 can be displaced in the dismounting direction with respect to the developer receiving apparatus 8 together with the supply container 1. That is, the shutter 4 seals the container discharge opening 3a4. Also, when the supply container 1 is taken out from the developer receiving apparatus 8, the shutter 4 is in a state where the supply container 1 has been returned to a position where it is not mounted to the developer receiving apparatus 8. Therefore, the container discharge opening 3a4 is reliably sealed by the shutter 4, and the developer is not scattered from the supply container 1 detached from the developer receiving apparatus 8.

[ conventional examples ]

Here, the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion 11 according to the conventional example will be briefly described with reference to part (a) of fig. 77 to part (d) of fig. 77. As shown in part (a) of fig. 77 to part (d) of fig. 77, in the conventional example, the guide portion 310 engaged with the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is provided on the side surface of the flange portion 3. After the mounting operation of the supply container 1 is performed in the direction of arrow a, the guide portion 310 guides the developer receiving portion 11 to be displaced toward the supply container 1, so that a state is established in which the developer receiving portion and the supply container are connected to each other to enable the supply of the developer from the supply container 1 to the developer receiving portion 11. In addition, accompanying the operation of detaching the supply container 1 in the arrow B direction, the guide portion 310 guides the developer receiving portion 11 to be displaced in a direction away from the supply container 1, so that the connection state between the supply container 1 and the developer receiving portion 11 is suspended. To achieve this, the guide portion 310 is inclined such that it gradually rises in the vertical direction from the downstream side toward the upstream side of the supply container 1 in the mounting direction. Thereby, the developer receiving portion 11 (specifically, the supported portion 11 b) moves along the guide portion 310 with a force applied to the supply container 1 at the time of attachment and detachment. However, in this case, particularly during the mounting operation of the supply container 1, the force displaced in the mounting direction and the force displaced in the vertical direction are easily applied to the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 by the guide portion 310 at the same time. Therefore, this becomes a load, and easily hinders smooth mounting of the supply container 1.

On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, as described above, along with the mounting operation of the supply container 1, a force of lifting the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 upward in the vertical direction (supply container side) is exerted by the lifting portion 30. In this case, the force that is displaced in the mounting direction and acts on the developer receiving portion 11 is extremely small as compared with the above-described conventional example. Therefore, when the developer receiving portion 11 is moved in the mounting operation of the supply container 1, the load required to move the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, and thus the supply container can be smoothly mounted.

< example 2>

In embodiment 1 described above, the barrier inclined portion 4f is provided in the barrier 4, the barrier sliding portion 30b is provided in the lift portion 30, and the lift portion 30 is operated by the barrier 4 relatively moving with respect to the lift portion 30, but the mechanism for operating the lift portion 30 is not limited to this example. For example, the flap and the lifting portion may be connected by a plurality of gears, and the gears may be driven by the relative movement of the lifting portion and the flap so that the lifting portion is operated.

The present embodiment 2 will be described with reference to part (b) of fig. 16 to 21. In the present embodiment, as described later, the second rack 30e is provided in the lift portion 30A, the first rack 4g is provided in the baffle 4A, and the pinion 40 for connecting gears is provided in the lower flange portion 32. Other basic structures and operations are the same as those of embodiment 1 described above, and therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the following description focuses on portions different from embodiment 1.

[ Flange portion ]

Fig. 16 shows a flange portion 3A of embodiment 2. As shown in fig. 16, in the flange portion 3A of the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described lift holding portion 3b and lift stopper portion 3c, a pinion holding portion 3g is provided on a side surface of the lower flange portion 32 so as to protrude in the width direction. The pinion holding portion 3g rotatably holds the pinion 40 shown in fig. 17. As shown in fig. 17, the pinion 40 as a rotatable member has a first gear portion 40a and a second gear portion 40b having a diameter larger than that of the first gear portion 40a, and is provided with a through hole 40c through which the pinion holding portion 3g passes.

[ lifting section ]

The lift portion 30A of embodiment 2 is shown in parts (a) to (b) of fig. 18. As shown in part (a) to part (b) of fig. 18, in comparison with the lifting portion 30 of embodiment 1, in the lifting portion 30A, a second rack gear 30e (lifting gear) is provided on the surface of the lifting main assembly portion 30d opposite to the receiving support portion 30c, instead of the shutter sliding portion 30b. The second rack 30e as the changeover transmission mechanism extends in the vertical direction and meshes with the first gear portion 40a of the above-described pinion gear 40.

[ baffle ]

Fig. 19 shows a baffle 4A of example 2. As shown in fig. 19, in contrast to the baffle 4A of embodiment 1, in the baffle 4A, the support portion 4d does not have the baffle inclined portion 4f (portion (b) of fig. 13), but the first rack 4g is provided. The first rack gear 4g serving as a rotation operation portion extends in the mounting direction of the supply container 1, and meshes with the second gear portion 40b of the pinion gear 40.

Fig. 20 shows a supply container 1A of the present embodiment in which the above-described lift portion 30A, shutter 4A, and pinion 40 are combined. The pinion 40 provided in the discharge portion 700 rotates around the pinion holding portion 3 g. When the lift portion 30A and the shutter 4A move relative to each other, the pinion gear 40 rotates. That is, when the pinion 40 is rotated via the second gear portion 40b, the flange portion 3A (more specifically, the lower flange portion 32) relatively moves with respect to the barrier 4A on the first rack 4g of the barrier 4A, the movement of which is restricted. Then, the rotation of the pinion 40 is transmitted to the second rack 30e engaged with the first gear portion 40A, and the lift portion 30A is moved in the vertical direction by means of the second rack 30e. That is, the rotational movement of the pinion 40 is converted into the linear movement by the second rack 30e and transmitted to the lifting portion 30A, so that the lifting portion 30A is operated.

[ operation of developer receiving portion ]

An operation of connecting the developer receiving portion 11 with the supply container 1 by the lifting portion 30A will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 21 and part (b) of fig. 21. Part (a) of fig. 21 shows a state where lifting of the lifting portion 30A is started.

Part (b) of fig. 21 shows a state when the mounting of the supply container 1A is completed. Here, in part (a) of fig. 21 and part (b) of fig. 21, in order to make the illustration easier to understand, a gear which is not visible due to overlapping with the lift portion 30A is shown.

When the supply container 1 is inserted into the developer receiving apparatus 8 in the mounting direction (part (a) in fig. 3) after the shutter 4A is restricted from moving in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a), the lift portion 30A moves in the mounting direction relative to the shutter 4A. In this case, as shown in part (a) of fig. 21, the pinion 40 is rotated by the first rack 4g of the flapper 4A via the second gear portion 40b according to the mounting operation of the supply container 1. And, the rotation of the pinion is transmitted to the second rack 30e of the lifting portion 30A by means of the first gear portion 40A. Thereby, the lift portion 30A starts moving upward in the vertical direction. Also, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving support portion 30c of the lifting portion 30A, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 moves upward in the vertical direction. Subsequently, when the supply container 1 is further inserted in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 21, the lift portion 30A is relatively moved with respect to the baffle 4A in the same manner as described above, so that the supply container 1 is completely mounted to reach the position shown in part (b) of fig. 21.

As described above, in embodiment 2, in order to move the developer receiving portion 11, the lifting portion 30 is operated by means of the gears according to the mounting operation of the supply container 1, and the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is lifted upward (toward the supply container side) in the vertical direction by the lifting portion 30. Accordingly, the load of movement of the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, and smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved as in embodiment 1.

Further, in the case of embodiment 2, the lift portion 30 is operated by utilizing smooth rotation of the gear, and therefore, the operability at the time of mounting of the supply container 1 is improved. Therefore, the operator can smoothly install the supply container 1 with a force lighter than that of the conventional structure.

Here, in embodiment 2 described above, the rack and pinion is used to operate the lifting portion 30 in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container 1, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as it is possible to convert a linear motion (reciprocating motion) in the mounting direction with respect to a rotational motion into a rotational motion, and then convert the rotational motion into a vertical motion (reciprocating motion), other mechanisms such as a crank slider mechanism may be used, for example.

< example 3>

In the above-described

embodiments

1 and 2, although the operation of connecting the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container is performed by using the shutter, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the shutter may not be used. Embodiment 3 in which the operation of connecting the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1 can be performed without using a shutter will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 22 to part (b) of fig. 31. In embodiment 3, the same constituent portions as those of embodiment 1 described above are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified, and portions different from embodiment 1 will be mainly described below.

The supply container 1B of embodiment 3 will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 22 and part (B) of fig. 22. The supply container 1B mainly includes a container body 2, a flange portion 3B, a baffle 4B, a pump portion 5, a reciprocating member 6, a lid 7, and a lifting unit portion 300. The lift unit portion 300 includes a lift portion 30B and a lift operation arm portion 45, and the lift unit portion 300 is disposed in the supply container 1B such that the lift operation arm 45 protrudes from the cover 7 in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a). As shown in part (B) of fig. 22, the flange portion 3B includes an upper flange portion 31 and a lower flange portion 32B, and the upper flange portion 31 and the lower flange portion 32B are integrated in a state where the baffle 4B is inserted.

[ Flange portion ]

The flange portion 3B will be described with reference to fig. 23. As shown in fig. 23, each side wall in the width direction of the lower flange portion 32B constituting the flange portion 3B is provided with a restricting rib 3i having a function of holding the lift portion 30B (portion (a) of fig. 24) to restrict the moving direction of the lift portion 30B and a function of guiding the lift portion 30B. In the case of the present embodiment, the restricting rib 3i as the guide means extends such that the upstream side in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) of the supply container 1B is higher than the downstream side. Here, in the restricting rib 3i, a snap-fit structure (not shown) is used to prevent the lift portion 30B from coming off, so as to hold the lift portion 30B so as to be tiltably slidable with respect to the vertical direction. In addition, on each side wall in the width direction of the lower flange portion 32B, a holding member 3n that movably holds the lift operation arm portion 45 in the attaching and detaching direction is provided at a position downstream of the restricting rib 3i in the attaching direction. The holding member 3n is provided with a through hole through which the lift operation arm portion 45 can pass. In addition, the lower flange portion 32B is provided with a placement groove 3k for placing a part of the lift operation arm portion 45 so as to be slidable in the detachment direction, and a fixing portion 3p for fixing one end portion of the pressing member 41 (part (a) of fig. 24) for pressing the lift operation arm portion 45 in the attachment direction. The lift operation arm portion 45 placed in the placing groove 3k is prevented from being detached from the supply container 1B by the cover 7A (fig. 27).

[ lifting part ]

The lifting portion 300 will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 24 to part (b) of fig. 25. As shown in part (a) of fig. 24, the lift portion 300 includes a lift portion 30B, a lift operation arm portion 45 as a slide operation unit, and a pressing member 41. As shown in part (B) of fig. 24, the lifting portion 30B includes a receiving supporting portion 30Ba capable of supporting the developer receiving portion 11 (more specifically, the supported portion 11B) and a main body portion 30Bb including an engaging hole 30Bd engaged with the restricting rib 3i of the lower flange portion 32. Similarly to the restricting rib 3i of the lower flange portion 32B, the engaging hole 30Bd as a holding portion is formed so that the upstream side in the mounting direction is higher than the downstream side, and engages with the restricting rib 3i to slidably hold the lifting portion 30B. On the other hand, as shown in part (c) of fig. 24, one end portion of the lift operation arm portion 45 has a shape bifurcated in the width direction. As shown in part (a) of fig. 24, the paired bifurcated arms 45B pass through the through holes of the holding member 3n, and their end surfaces abut against the abutment surfaces 30Bc of the lifting portion 30B. Here, in the case of the present embodiment, the lift operation arm portion 45 and the lift portion 30B are slidable, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the lift operation arm portion 45 and the lift portion 30B may be integrally formed. In this case, however, the lift operation arm portion 45 is formed so as to be elastically deformable, whereby the lift portion 30B can move along the restricting rib 3 i.

On the other hand, the non-bifurcated arm 45a is partially placed on the placement groove 3k and has a step of a different diameter so as to form an abutment surface 45d that contacts the cover 7A. The thin side of the arm 45a protrudes from the placement groove 3k and from the cover 7A. The length of the arm 45a is such that the leading end portion abuts the developer receiving apparatus 8 when the supply container 1 is mounted. At a branching position between the arm 45a and the pair of arms 45b, a mounting portion 45c for mounting the urging member 41 is provided. As shown in part (d) of fig. 24, the urging member 41 is, for example, a coil spring. By the urging force of the urging member 41, when the supply container 1 is not mounted to the developer receiving apparatus 8, the lift moving arm portion 45 is maintained in a state where the abutment surface 45d abuts against the cover 7A.

When the supply container 1B is mounted, a force in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) is applied to the lift operation arm portion 45 by the urging force of the urging member 41 before the front end portion of the lift operation arm portion 45 abuts against the developer receiving apparatus 8. In this case, the lift portion 30B is not pushed in the direction (the direction of the arrow B) opposite to the mounting direction by the lift operation arm portion 45, and therefore, as shown in part (a) of fig. 25, the lift portion is held by its own weight at the upper end portion side of the engagement hole 30Bd by the restricting rib 3i of the lower flange portion 32B. Also, when the leading end portion of the lift operation arm portion 45 comes into contact with the developer receiving apparatus 8, the lift operation arm portion 45 and the supply container 1 excluding the lift operation arm portion 45 are relatively moved, and a force in a direction opposite to the mounting direction is applied to the lift operation arm portion 45 against the urging force of the urging member 41. As a result, the lift portion 30B is pushed by the lift operation arm portion 45 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction, and the lift portion is held at the lower end portion side of the engagement hole 30Bd by the restricting rib 3i of the lower flange portion 32B, as shown in part (B) of fig. 25. That is, the lift portion 30B rises along the restricting rib 3 i.

Part (a) of fig. 26 and part (B) of fig. 26 show a baffle 4B that can be used in the present embodiment. The baffle 4B of the present embodiment is different from the baffle 4 (part (B) of fig. 13) usable in the above-described embodiment 1 in that it does not have the baffle inclined portion 4f. In addition, fig. 27 shows a cover 7A that can be used in the present embodiment. Compared with the cover 7 (part (a) in fig. 11) usable in embodiment 1 described above, the cover 7A of the present embodiment has a hole 7c for passing the lift operation arm portion 45 (more specifically, the downstream side of the abutment surface 45d of the arm 45a in the mounting direction).

[ operation of developer receiving portion ]

The connecting operation of the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1B by the lifting portion 30B will be described in the time sequence of the mounting operation of the supply container 1B with reference to part (a) of fig. 28 to part (B) of fig. 31. Part (a) of fig. 28 and part (B) of fig. 28 show a state when installation of the supply container 1B is started, and part (a) of fig. 29 and part (B) of fig. 29 show a state when the lift portion 30B starts to be raised. Part (a) of fig. 30 and part (B) of fig. 30 show a state in which the lift portion 30B is being lifted. Part (a) of fig. 31 and part (B) of fig. 31 show a state when the mounting of the supply container 1B is completed. Here, the operation of separating the developer receiving portion 11 from the supply container 1B by the lifting portion 30B according to the releasing operation of the supply container 1B is opposite to the connecting operation described below, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the supply container 1B starts to be mounted as shown in part (a) of fig. 28, the first stopper portion 4B of the shutter 4B and the first shutter stopper portion 8a of the developer receiving apparatus 8 are not yet in contact with each other. At this time, in the supply container 1B, the lift operation arm portion 45, the lift portion 30B, and the baffle 4B are integrally moved without relative movement therebetween. In addition, the lift operation arm portion 45 does not abut against the developer receiving apparatus 8, and therefore, the lift portion 30B is not pushed by the lift operation arm portion 45 in the direction opposite to the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow B). Therefore, as shown in part (B) of fig. 28, the lift portion 30B is held by its own weight at the upper end portion side of the engagement hole 30Bd by the restricting rib 3i of the lower flange portion 32B. At this time, the lifting portion 30B is at the lowermost position, and therefore, the receiving supporting portion 30Ba of the lifting portion 30B does not support the supported portion 11B of the developer receiving portion 11. As described previously, the developer receiving portion 11 is urged by the urging member 12 in a direction away from the supply container 1B, and therefore, the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1B. Here, the container discharge opening 3a4 is sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4B.

When the supply container 1B is inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 28 to the downstream side in the mounting direction, the first stopper portion 4B of the shutter 4B and the first shutter stopper portion 8a of the developer receiving apparatus 8 are engaged with each other as described above. Thereby, the position of the shutter 4B relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8 is fixed, so that the relative movement of the shutter 4B relative to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) is stopped. On the other hand, the relative movement of the supply container 1B other than the shutter 4B with respect to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction is maintained. Also, as shown in part (B) of fig. 29, the front end portion of the lift operation arm portion 45 abuts the developer receiving apparatus 8, and the supported portion 11B of the developer receiving portion 11 is engaged with and supported by the receiving support portion 30Ba of the lift portion 30B. When the free end portion of the lift operation arm portion 45 abuts against the developer receiving apparatus 8, the lift operation arm portion 45 starts to push the lift portion 30B in the direction (the direction of arrow B) opposite to the mounting direction. In this case, the shutter opening 4j reaches above the receiving opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 in the vertical direction while the container discharge opening 3a4 remains sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4B. However, when the lift operation arm portion 45 starts to abut, the developer receiving portion 11 is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening 11a remains separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 (shutter opening 4 j).

Subsequently, when the supply container 1B is inserted further in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 29, the supply container 1B is moved in the mounting direction with respect to the shutter 4B, as shown in part (a) of fig. 30. However, by the mounting operation of the supply container 1B, the lift portion 30B is pushed back in the direction (the direction of arrow B) opposite to the mounting direction by the lift operation arm portion 45. The lift portion is pushed back by the lift operation arm 45, whereby the lift portion 30B moves upward along the restriction rib 3i while the contact surface 30Bc (part (B) of fig. 24) slides on the lift operation arm portion 45, as shown in part (B) of fig. 30. Thereby, the lift portion 30B moves substantially upward in the vertical direction. Also, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported by the receiving supporting portion 30Ba of the lifting portion 30, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 starts to move upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 12. However, the receiving opening 11a is still separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1B.

When the supply container 1B is further inserted into the downstream side in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 30, the supply container 1B is moved in the mounting direction relative to the baffle 4B, whereby the supply container 1B reaches the mounting completion position, as shown in part (a) of fig. 31, as in the previous case. In this case, the lift portion 30B is further pushed back in the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the lift operation arm portion 45, and the upward movement of the lift portion 30B in the vertical direction is stopped in a state where it is held at the lower end side of the engagement hole 30Bd by the restricting rib 3i, as shown in part (B) of fig. 31. Also, in the developer receiving portion 11 in which the supported portion 11B is supported by the lift portion 30B, the receiving opening 11a becomes a state of being connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1B. In this way, the developer can be supplied. At this time, as shown in part (B) of fig. 31, the positional relationship between the container discharge opening 3a4 and the lift portion 30B is such that a plane L (a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passing through the container discharge opening 3a4 passes through the lift portion 30B. In addition, a plane including the receiving support portion 30Ba of the lifting portion 30B is between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening 3a4.

As described above, in embodiment 3, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved, and therefore, the supported portion 11B of the developer receiving portion 11 is lifted upward in the vertical direction (supply container side) by the lifting portion 30B operated by the lifting operation arm portion 45 in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container 1. Thereby, the load required to move the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, thereby enabling smooth mounting of the supply container as in embodiment 1.

< example 4>

Next, embodiment 4 will be described. In embodiment 4, unlike embodiment 3 described above, the operation of connecting the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container can be performed without using a shutter. Here, in embodiment 4, the same constituent portions as those of embodiment 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified, and the following description will be focused on portions different from embodiment 1. In addition, in this example, the above-described baffle 4B (part (a) of fig. 26), for example, is used as the baffle.

Part (a) of fig. 32 and part (b) of fig. 32 illustrate the developer receiving apparatus 8A of the present embodiment. In the developer receiving apparatus 8A of the present embodiment, the pulling member 50 is rotatably provided on the downstream side in the mounting direction opposite to the mounting portion 8f across the developer receiving portion 11. The pulling member 50 retracts and holds the supply container 1C in the installation direction by rotating in a state of being engaged with the supply container 1C in accordance with the installation operation of the supply container 1C and at a predetermined installation completion position.

Fig. 33 shows the pulling member 50. The pulling member 50 is provided with a lift holding portion 50a, a rotating shaft portion 50b, a main body portion 50c, and a fixing portion 50d. The lift holding portion 50a protrudes from the main body portion 50C toward the upstream side in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a), and for locking the supply container 1C, the free end portion is formed in a claw shape. The pulling member 50 rotates about the rotating shaft portion 50 b. In the present embodiment, the rotating shaft portion 50b is provided at the bent portion of the lift holding portion 50a such that the free end portion of the lift holding portion 50a rotates in the direction opposite to the main body portion 50c in accordance with the rotation of the main body portion 50c. A pulling urging member 51 (e.g., a coil spring, part (a) of fig. 37) described later is provided to obtain a force for pulling the pulling member 50 to retract the supply container 1C toward the mounting direction. The fixing portion 50d is provided in the main body portion 50c so as to fix one end portion of the pulling and pushing member 51. As described below, in response to the pulling member 50 being pushed in the mounting direction via the cover 7 when the supply container 1C is mounted, the pulling member 50 is rotated by the pushing force of the pushing member 51 so as to lift the free end of the lift holding portion 50 a.

A supply container 1C of embodiment 4 will be described with reference to fig. 34. The supply container 1C mainly includes a container body 2, a flange portion 3C, a baffle 4B, a pump portion 5, a reciprocating member 6, a lid 7, and a lift portion 30C. The flange portion 3C includes an upper flange portion 31 and a lower flange portion 32C, and the upper flange portion 31 and the lower flange portion 32C are integrated with each other in a state where the baffle 4B is inserted.

[ Flange portion and lifting portion ]

The flange portion 3C and the lift portion 30C will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 35 to part (b) of fig. 36. Here, part (a) of fig. 35 and part (b) of fig. 35 show a state when the mounting of the supply container 1C is completed. In the flange portion 3C of the present embodiment, the lift portion 30C is rotatably provided on the upper surface side of the lower flange portion 32C. The lifting portion 30C is mounted to the lower flange portion 32C such that it can move upward and downward on the downstream side in the mounting direction from the upstream side (the side opposite to the pulling member 50 of the developer receiving apparatus 8A) in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) of the lower flange portion 32C. Specifically, the lower flange portion 32C is formed with a fitting portion 32Ca that rotatably supports the lifting portion 30C (which is fitted to the rotation shaft 30Cb of the lifting portion 30C).

As shown in part (a) of fig. 36, the lifting portion 30C is provided with a pair of body arms 30C1 that extend in the mounting direction and are connected with a connecting portion 30C2 that connects these body arms 30C 1. In the present embodiment, the lift portion 30C is provided on the upper surface side of the lower flange portion 32C, and therefore, the pair of body arms 30C1 are opposed to each other with a space left therebetween in the width direction, so that the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1C is not closed by the lift portion 30C. The width dimension of the connecting portion 30C2 is selected to meet the requirements.

A rotating shaft 30Cb is formed on the body arm 30C1, which protrudes from one side to the other side at a free end side of an upstream side (a side opposite to the connecting portion 30C 2) in the mounting direction. In addition, on the body arm 30C1, a locking portion 30Ca as a pivotally moving portion protruding toward the side opposite to the rotation shaft 30Cb is formed at the free end portion side in the mounting direction (on the same side as the connecting portion 30C 2). As will be described in detail later, the locking portion 30Ca is engaged with the pulling member 50 (more specifically, the lift holding portion 50 a) and is rotated about the axis of the rotation shaft 30Cb in accordance with the pulling-in operation of the pulling member 50 to operate the receiving support portion 30Cc.

Further, in the body arm 30C1, the receiving support portion 30Cc is formed so as to protrude toward the side opposite to the rotation axis 30Cb and extend in the mounting direction. The receiving support portion 30Cc is disposed between the locking portion (locked portion) 30Ca and the rotation shaft 30Cb with respect to the mounting direction in the body arm 30C 1. In other words, in the body arm 30C1, the length from the rotation shaft 30Cb to the locking portion 30Ca is larger than the length from the rotation shaft 30Cb to the receiving support portion 30Cc with respect to the mounting direction. In this case, the fulcrum is the rotation shaft 30Cb, the force point is the receiving support portion 30Cc, and the action point is the locking portion 30Ca, and the distance from the fulcrum to the force point can be made longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the action point from the viewpoint of moment. In this way, the force required to move the developer receiving portion 11 upward in the vertical direction is reduced.

The receiving supporting portion 30Cc can support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 from below in the vertical direction (part (a) of fig. 32). As shown in part (b) of fig. 36, this receiving support portion 30Cc is inclined with respect to the body arm 30C1 such that the upper surface thereof is lower on the downstream side than on the upstream side in the mounting direction. However, the inclination angle of the receiving support portion 30Cc with respect to the mounting direction of the supply container 1C is selected so as to be in a substantially horizontal state upon completion of mounting of the supply container 1C.

[ operation of developer receiving portion ]

The connecting operation of the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1C by the lifting portion 30C will be described in the time sequence of the mounting operation of the supply container 1C with reference to part (a) of fig. 37 to part (b) of fig. 40. Part (a) of fig. 37 and part (b) of fig. 37 show a state when installation of the supply container 1C is started, and part (a) of fig. 38 and part (b) of fig. 38 show a state when the movement is started to lift the part 30C. Part (a) of fig. 39 and part (b) of fig. 39 show a state during rotation of the lifting portion 30C, and part (a) of fig. 40 and part (b) of fig. 40 show a state when mounting of the supply container 1C is completed. Here, the operation of separating the developer receiving portion 11 from the supply container 1C by the lifting portion 30C according to the releasing operation of the supply container 1C is opposite to the mounting operation described below, and therefore, the description will be omitted.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 37, at the start of the mounting of the supply container 1C, the first stopper portion 4B of the shutter 4B and the first shutter stopper portion 8a of the developer receiving apparatus 8 are not yet in contact with each other. In this case, in the supply container 1C, the lift portion 30C and the baffle 4B move integrally without relative movement therebetween. In addition, the pulling member 50 powered by the pulling and pushing member 51 has not yet started to pivot, and the lifting portion 30C is not lifted by the pulling member 50. For this reason, as shown in part (b) of fig. 37, the lift portion 30C moves in the mounting direction while being maintained in a substantially horizontal state by its own weight. At this time, the elevated portion 30C (more specifically, the receiving and supporting portion 30 Cc) is at the lowermost position, and the receiving and supporting portion 30Cc of the elevated portion 30C does not support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11. As described previously, the developer receiving portion 11 is urged by the urging member 12 in a direction away from the supply container 1C, and therefore, the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1C. Here, the container discharge opening 3a4 is sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4B.

When the supply container 1C is inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 37 toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the relative movement of the shutter 4B with respect to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) is stopped, as in embodiment 3 described above. Also, in the case of the present embodiment, as shown in part (a) of fig. 38, the cover 7 starts to contact the main body portion 50c of the pulling member 50. Thereafter, in response to further insertion of the supply container 1C in the mounting direction, the supply container 1C starts to be dragged in the mounting direction by the pulling member 50. In the case of the present embodiment, in addition to this, the pulling member 50 is pushed in the mounting direction by means of the cover 7, and can be pivoted in accordance with the urging force of the pulling urging member 51 so as to lift the free end portion of the lift holding portion 50 a. In addition, at this time, as shown in part (b) of fig. 38, the front end portion of the lift holding portion 50a of the pulling member 50 reaches the lower portion of the locking portion 30Ca of the lift portion 30C in the vertical direction. In addition, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 starts to be supported at the lower portion by the receiving supporting portion 30Cc of the rising portion 30C. In this case, the shutter opening 4j reaches above the receiving opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 in the vertical direction while the container discharge opening 3a4 is maintained in a state of being sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4B. However, as shown in part (a) of fig. 38, the lift portion 30C is maintained in a substantially horizontal state, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1C.

Subsequently, when the supply container 1C is inserted further toward the downstream in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 38, the supply container 1C moves in the mounting direction relative to the baffle 4B as shown in part (a) of fig. 39. In addition, as shown in the drawing, the pulling member 50 is pushed and rotated in the mounting direction by the supply container 1C by means of the cover 7, whereby the locking portion 30Ca of the lifting portion 30C is engaged and the lifting portion 30C is lifted, as shown in part (b) of fig. 39. Thereby, the receiving support portion 30Cc of the lifting portion 30C is moved substantially upward in the vertical direction. Also, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported by the receiving supporting portion 30Cc of the lifting portion 30C, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 starts to move upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 12. However, as shown in part (a) of fig. 39, the receiving opening 11a is still separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1C.

When the supply container 1C is further inserted in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 39, the supply container 1C is moved in the mounting direction relative to the baffle 4B in the same manner as previously described, so that the supply container 1C reaches the mounting completion position, as shown in part (a) of fig. 40. In this case, as shown in part (b) of fig. 40, the rotation of the lifting portion 30C by the pulling member 50 is stopped while the receiving support portion 30Cc is lifted to the maximum height position. Also, the developer receiving portion 11 supported by the supporting portion 11b by the receiving supporting portion 30Cc is connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1C at the receiving opening 11a. In this way, the developer can be supplied. At this time, as shown in part (a) of fig. 40, the positional relationship between the container discharge opening 3a4 and the lift portion 30C is such that a plane L (a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passing through the container discharge opening 3a4 passes through the lift portion 30C. In addition, a plane including the receiving support portion 30Cc (portion (b) of fig. 36) of the lifting portion 30C is located between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening 3a4.

In embodiment 4, in order to move the developer receiving portion 11 as described above, the operation of the lifting portion 30C according to the mounting operation of the supply container 1C is performed by the pulling member 50, and the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is moved upward in the vertical direction (supply container side). In the case of the present embodiment, the pulling member 50 not only pulls the supply container 1C in the mounting direction, but also rotates the lift portion 30C by the urging force of the pulling urging member 51. Accordingly, when the lifting portion 30C moves the developer receiving portion 11 upward in the vertical direction, the urging force pulling the urging member 51 is applied, and therefore, less force is required as compared with the above-described conventional example. That is, the load required to move the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, and therefore, smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

Here, in the above embodiment 4, the lifting portion 30C is rotated by using the pulling member 50. However, it is not necessary to use the pulling member 50 to rotate the lifting portion 30C. That is, it suffices if the end surface of the connecting portion 30C2 of the lifting portion 30C is in contact with the wall surface on the deep side of the developer receiving apparatus 8A in the mounting direction so that the lifting portion 30C slides on the wall surface of the developer receiving apparatus 8A and the lifting portion 30C is rotated about the rotation shaft 30 Cb.

< example 5>

Next, embodiment 5 will be described with reference to part (b) to fig. 45 of fig. 41. In embodiment 5, unlike

embodiments

3 and 4 described above, the developer receiving portion 11 can be attached to the supply container without using a shutter. Here, in embodiment 5, the same constituent portions as those of embodiment 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified. Hereinafter, the description will be mainly focused on the portions different from embodiment 1.

[ lifting part ]

As shown in fig. 41, a supply container 1D of embodiment 5 mainly includes a container body 2, a flange portion 3D, a baffle 4D, a pump portion 5, a reciprocating member 6, a lift portion 30D, a lid (not shown), a regulating member 60, and a pressing member 61 as pressing means. The flange portion 3D includes an upper flange portion 31 and a lower flange portion 32D, and the upper flange portion 31 and the lower flange portion 32D are integrated with each other in a state where the baffle 4D is inserted. The raised portion 30D is mounted to the lower flange portion 32D of this embodiment. The lift portion 30D moves in the attachment/detachment direction (the direction of arrows a and B) integrally with the lower flange portion 32D. On the other hand, the lift portion 30D is mounted to the lower flange portion 32D by a biasing member 61 (e.g., a coil spring). The lifting portion 30D is movable in the vertical direction. The urging member 61 is fixed to the lower flange portion 32D at one end and to the lifting portion 30D at the other end. The urging member 61 urges the lift portion 30D in the vertical direction (that is, in the direction in which the receiving opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 communicates with the container discharge opening 3a 4). In the present embodiment, the lifting portion 30D is provided on the upper surface thereof with a supporting portion 30Da capable of supporting the supported portion 11b (portion (c) in fig. 4) of the developer receiving portion 11 at the bottom.

[ restricting Member ]

The restriction member 60 is slidably mounted at an end portion of the lower flange portion 32D in the width direction in such a manner that the restriction member 60 can slide in the mounting/dismounting direction (the direction indicated by arrows a and B) so that the lower flange portion 32D can move relative to the restriction member. The restricting member 60 is disposed on the lower flange portion 32D so that the lifting portion 30D can be pressed from the upper side in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 61. When the lift portion 30D is pressed by the restricting member 60, the pressing member 61 is in a compressed state. In the present embodiment, as described later, the lower flange portion 32D is moved relative to the restricting member 60 in response to the mounting operation of the supply container 1D, and at this time, the lifting portion 30D is moved in the mounting direction while sliding on the restricting member 60 on the upper surface (the receiving and supporting portion 30 Da). When the pushing state of the lifting portion 30D by the restricting member 60 is suspended, the lifting force of the urging member 61 moves the lifting portion 30D upward in the vertical direction. Relative movement is caused between the regulating member 60 and the lifting portion 30, and the regulating member 60 is provided with a contact portion 60a to contact the developer receiving portion 11 (more specifically, a movement regulating portion 11c, portion (a) of fig. 42) when the supply container 1D is mounted.

[ baffle ]

The shutter 4D of the present embodiment can also move relative to the flange portion 3D. Unlike the shutter of embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the position of the shutter 4D of the present embodiment with respect to the developer receiving apparatus is fixed by the developer receiving portion 11. As will be described later, with the shutter 4D of the present embodiment, the movement in the mounting direction is restricted by the developer receiving portion 11. To achieve this, a stopper portion 4Db is formed on the shutter 4D, and a movement restricting portion 11c is formed on the developer receiving portion 11 (portion (a) in fig. 42). During the mounting operation of the supply container 1, the stopper portion 4Db of the shutter 4D comes into contact with the movement restricting portion 11c of the developer receiving portion 11, so that the movement of the shutter 4D is regulated, thereby fixing the position relative to the developer receiving device.

[ operation of developer receiving portion ]

The operation of connecting the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1D by the lifting portion 30D will be described in the time sequence of the mounting operation of the developer supply container 1D using part (a) of fig. 42 to part (b) of fig. 45. Part (a) of fig. 42 and part (b) of fig. 42 show a state when installation of the supply container 1D is started, and part (a) of fig. 43 and part (b) of fig. 43 show a state when lifting of the lift portion 30D is started. Part (a) of fig. 44 and part (b) of fig. 44 show a state during the raising of the lift portion 30D, and part (a) of fig. 45 and part (b) of fig. 45 show a state when the mounting of the supply container 1D is completed.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 42, at the time of starting the mounting of the supply container 1D, the stopper portion 4Db of the shutter 4D and the movement restricting portion 11c of the developer receiving portion 11 have not yet contacted each other. In the case of the present embodiment, a movement restricting portion 11c is provided in the developer receiving portion 11, which is in the form of an L-shaped arm extending in a substantially L-shape from the substantial center of a substantially cylindrical base body portion 11d including the receiving opening 11a and is provided with a supported portion 11b on the free end side in the vertically upward direction. When the stopper portion 4Db and the movement restricting portion 11c do not contact each other, the lift portion 30D and the shutter 4D move integrally in the supply container 1D without relative movement. In addition, the lift portion 30D also moves integrally with the restricting member without moving relative to the restricting member 60 while partially overlapping the restricting member 60 as viewed in the vertical direction, that is, while being held pressed by the restricting member 60. At this time, the lifting portion 30D is at the lowermost position, and does not support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11. As described previously, the developer receiving portion 11 is urged by the urging member 12 in a direction away from the supply container 1D, and therefore, the receiving opening 11a is spaced apart from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1D. Here, the container discharge opening 3a4 is sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4D.

When the supply container 1D is inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 42 toward the downstream side in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a), the stopper portion 4Db of the shutter 4D and the movement restricting portion 11c of the developer receiving portion 11 contact each other as shown in part (a) of fig. 43 and part (b) of fig. 43. However, the contact portion 60a of the restriction member 60 and the movement restriction portion 11c are not yet in contact with each other. That is, the contact portion 60a of the restriction member 60 comes into contact with the stopper portion 4Db of the shutter 4D later than the contact of the stopper portion 4Db with the movement restriction portion 11c of the developer receiving portion 11. Thereafter, in response to the supply container 1D being inserted toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the relative movement of the shutter 4D with respect to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction is stopped, but the relative movement of the regulating member 60 with respect to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction is not stopped. Further, at this time, as shown in part (b) of fig. 43, the lift portion 30D reaches the lower portion of the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 in the vertical direction, and the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 starts to be supported by the lift portion 30D from below in the vertical direction. In this case, the shutter opening 4j reaches above the receiving opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 in the vertical direction, and the container discharge opening 3a4 is maintained in a state of being sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4D. However, the lifting portion 30D is maintained in a state of being pressed by the restricting member 60, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening 11a is spaced apart from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1.

Subsequently, when the supply container 1D is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 43 toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the contact portion 60a of the regulating member 60 and the movement regulating portion 11c of the developer receiving portion 11 abut against each other as shown in part (a) of fig. 44 and part (b) of fig. 44. Thereafter, when the supply container 1D is further inserted in the mounting direction, the relative movement of the regulating member 60 with respect to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction is stopped, but the movement of the lift portion 30D with respect to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction is continued. That is, the lifting portion 30D relatively moves with respect to the regulating member 60 while supporting the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11. Then, the pressed state of the lifting portion 30D by the restricting member 60 is released (that is, the restricting member 60 and the lifting portion 30D do not overlap as viewed in the vertical direction), and the urging force of the urging member 61 allows the lifting portion 30D to move upward in the vertical direction. The supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported by the lift portion 30D, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 moves upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 12 in accordance with the upward movement of the lift portion 30D in the vertical direction.

Part (a) of fig. 45 and part (b) of fig. 45 show a state when the mounting of the supply container 1D is completed. As described previously, the lift portion 30D released from the pressed state pressed by the restriction member 60 moves upward in the vertical direction. By this operation, the developer receiving portion 11 supported by the supporting portion 11b by the lifting portion 30D is in a state where the receiving opening 11a is connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1, that is, it is in a state where the developer can be supplied. Here, in the present embodiment, at the time of completing the installation of the supply container 1D, the upward movement of the lifting portion 30D in the vertical direction by the urging member 61 is restricted by the restricting member 60.

As described above, also in embodiment 5, in order to move the developer receiving portion 11, the lifting portion 30D is operated, and therefore, the load exerted on the movement of the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, thereby making it possible to smoothly mount the supply container.

In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, the sealability between the receiving opening 11a and the container discharge opening 3a4 can be improved by the urging force of the urging member 61. In addition, when the receiving opening 11a is connected to the container discharge opening 3a4, the receiving opening 11a applies a certain degree of impact to the container discharge opening 3a4 by the urging force of the urging member 61, and therefore, the developer in the vicinity of the container discharge opening 3a4 can be loosened.

< example 6>

In embodiment 5 described above, the restricting member 60 that moves independently of the shutter 4D presses the lifting portion 30D. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the restricting member 60 may move together with the barrier to operate the lifting portion 30D. The present embodiment 6 will be described with reference to part (b) of fig. 46 to part (b) of fig. 52. Here, in embodiment 6, the same components as those of embodiment 5 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified. Hereinafter, the description will be mainly focused on the portion different from embodiment 5.

Part (a) of fig. 46 and part (b) of fig. 46 show a supply container 1E of embodiment 6. In the supply container 1E of the present embodiment, a part (fig. 48) of a restricting member 60E, which will be described later, is provided so as to protrude from the cover 7E in the width direction. The restricting member 60E is slidably attached to the lower flange portion in the attaching and detaching direction (the direction of arrows a, B), and therefore, a through hole 7Ea for passing a part of the restricting member 60E is formed in the attaching direction on each side wall in the width direction of the cover 7E.

As shown in fig. 47, in the developer receiving apparatus 8E, a regulating portion 8Ea for regulating movement of the regulating member 60E in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) during the mounting operation of the supply container 1E is formed on the upstream side of the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction. The regulating member 60E abuts against the regulating portion 8Ea so that the movement in the mounting direction is regulated, thereby fixing the position of the regulating member 60E relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8E. In this way, the position of the regulating member 60E relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8E is maintained, and the movement of the regulating member 60E relative to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction is stopped, but the movement of the supply container 1E other than the regulating member 60E relative to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction is maintained. Here, in the present embodiment, as will be described later (fig. 48), the regulating member 60E is provided on the shutter 4E, and therefore, when the movement of the regulating member 60E is regulated by the regulating portion 8Ea, the position of the shutter 4E with respect to the developer receiving apparatus 8E is fixed.

That is, the restriction member 60E regulates the relative movement of the shutter 4E with respect to the developer receiving apparatus 8E.

[ regulating member ]

Fig. 48 illustrates the restricting member 60E and the shutter 4E. As shown in fig. 48, the shutter 4E is provided with a shutter opening 4j for discharging the developer and a developer seal portion 4a located at a position deviated from the shutter opening 4j of the shutter 4. In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, in order to move the shutter 4E integrally with the restricting member 60E, a fixing hole 4Ea for fixing the restricting member 60E is provided.

The restricting member 60E is provided with a pair of lift operation arm portions 60Eb extending in the mounting direction and a connecting portion 60Ec connecting these lift operation arm portions 60Eb to each other. In the present embodiment, the restriction member 60E and the baffle plate 4E are integrally formed, and therefore, the connecting portion 60Ec is formed with the fixing portion 60Ed to be fixed to the fixing hole 4Ea of the baffle plate 4E. In addition, the paired lift operation arm portions 60Eb are arranged to face each other with a space in the width direction so that the shutter opening 4j of the shutter 4E is not blocked by the restricting member 60E. To achieve this, the width-direction dimension of the connecting portion 60Ec is selected.

The stopper portion 60Ea is formed at a free end side on an upstream side (a side opposite to the connecting portion 60 Ec) of the lift operation arm portion 60Eb in the mounting direction. This stopper portion 60Ea protrudes from the through hole 7Ea (portion (b) in fig. 46) of the cover 7E in the opposite direction in the width direction so as to contact with the restricting portion 8Ea (fig. 47) of the developer receiving apparatus 8E during the mounting operation of the supply container 1E. In addition, the lift operation arm portion 60Eb has a shape shown in the drawing, and includes a pressing portion 601 for generating a pressed state of the lift portion 30D and a releasing portion 602 for releasing the pressed state of the lift portion 30D. As shown in fig. 48, the pressing portion 601 is provided on the upstream side of the releasing portion 602 in the mounting direction, and its widthwise dimension is longer than the releasing portion 602. In other words, the release portion 602 is a recess provided between the pressing portion 601 and the connecting portion 60Ec in the mounting direction.

[ operation of developer receiving portion ]

The connecting operation of the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1E by the lifting portion 30D will be described in the time sequence of the mounting operation of the supply container 1E with reference to part (a) of fig. 49 to part (b) of fig. 52. Part (a) of fig. 49 and part (b) of fig. 49 show a state when the mounting operation of the supply container 1E is started, and part (a) of fig. 50 and part (b) of fig. 50 show a state during movement of the lifting portion 30D. Part (a) of fig. 51 and part (b) of fig. 51 show a state when the raising of the lift portion 30D is started, and part (a) of fig. 52 and part (b) of fig. 52 show a state when the installation of the supply container 1E is completed, which shows a time state. Here, the operation of detaching the developer receiving portion 11 from the supply container 1E through the lifting portion 30D corresponding to the detaching operation of the supply container 1E is opposite to the mounting operation described below, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted here.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 49, at the start of the mounting operation of the supply container 1E, the stopper portion 60Ea of the regulating member 60E and the regulating portion 8Ea of the developer receiving apparatus 8E have not yet contacted each other. In this case, in the supply container 1E, the lift portion 30D moves integrally with the regulating member 60E while remaining overlapped with the pressing portion 601 of the regulating member 60E as viewed in the vertical direction, that is, while maintaining the pressed state by the regulating member 60E. At this time, the lift portion 30D is at the lowermost position, and the lift portion 30D does not support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11. As described previously, the developer receiving portion 11 is urged by the urging member 12 in a direction away from the supply container 1E, and therefore, the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1E. Here, the container discharge opening 3a4 is sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4E.

When the supply container 1E is inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 49 toward the downstream side in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a), the stopper portion 60Ea of the regulating member 60E and the regulating portion 8Ea of the developer receiving apparatus 8E contact each other as shown in part (a) of fig. 50 and part (b) of fig. 50. Thereafter, in response to further insertion of the supply container 1E toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the relative movement of the regulating member 60E and the shutter 4E with respect to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction is stopped. On the other hand, in the supply container 1E, the lift portion 30D moves in the mounting direction relative to the restricting member 60E. In this case, the shutter opening 4j reaches above the receiving opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 in the vertical direction while the container discharge opening 3a4 is maintained in a state of being sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4E. However, the lift portion 30D overlaps the pressing portion 601 of the restriction member 60E as viewed in the vertical direction. That is, the lifting portion 30D is maintained in a state pressed by the restricting member 60E, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening 11a is spaced apart from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1.

Subsequently, when the supply container 1E is further inserted in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 50, the lift portion 30D, which is relatively moved, reaches the release portion 602 of the restriction member 60E, as shown in part (a) of fig. 51 and part (b) of fig. 51. Then, the pressed state of the lifting portion 30D by the restricting member 60E is released, and the lifting portion 30D can be moved upward in the vertical direction by the urging force of the urging member 61. In addition, at this time, the lift portion 30D reaches the lower portion of the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 in the vertical direction, and the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 starts to be supported at the bottom by the lift portion 30D. Thereby, by the upward movement of the lift portion 30D, the developer receiving portion 11 starts to move upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 12.

Part (a) of fig. 52 and part (b) of fig. 52 show a state when the mounting operation of the supply container 1E is completed. As described previously, the lift portion 30D released from the pressed state pressed by the restriction member 60E is moved upward in the vertical direction by the urging force of the urging member 61. Next, in the developer receiving portion 11 in which the supported portion 11b is supported by the lifting portion 30D, the receiving opening 11a is in a state of being connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1, that is, in a state in which the developer can be supplied.

In the above manner, also in embodiment 6, the lifting portion 30D is operated to move the developer receiving portion 11, and therefore, the load required to move the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, so that smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

< example 7>

In embodiments 1 to 6 described above, the lifting portion is operated using the force applied by the operator to complete the connecting operation of the developer receiving portion to the supply container by the lifting portion when the supply container is mounted to the developer receiving apparatus 8, but the operation method of the lifting portion is not limited to this example. For example, the lifting portion may be operated by a driving force of a motor, a magnetic force of a magnet, or the like. Embodiment 7 in which the lifting portion is operated using a motor will be described first with reference to part (a) to fig. 55 of fig. 53. Here, in embodiment 7, the same constituent portions as those of embodiment 1 described above are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified, and portions different from embodiment 1 will be mainly described hereinafter. In addition, in this example, the above-described baffle 4B (part (a) of fig. 26) is used as the baffle, for example. In addition, in part (a) of fig. 53 and part (b) of fig. 53, a part of the developer receiving apparatus is omitted for convenience of explanation.

[ supply Container ]

As shown in part (a) of fig. 53 and part (B) of fig. 53, the supply container 1F of embodiment 7 mainly includes a container body 2, a flange portion 3F, a baffle plate 4B, a pump portion 5, a reciprocating member 6, a lid 7F, a lift portion 30F, and a lift mechanism K. The supply container 1F is detachably mounted to the developer receiving apparatus 8 (a part thereof is not shown), and when the supply container 1 is mounted, the receiving opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 is connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1 (part (b) of fig. 5). The developer receiving portion 11 is movable in a direction (vertical direction) in which the receiving opening 11a moves toward and away from the container discharge opening 3a4. A sub hopper 8C for temporarily storing the developer supplied from the supply container 1 is provided below the developer receiving apparatus 8. In this sub hopper 8c, a feed screw 14 for feeding the developer is provided. In the cover 7F, a hole 7Fa is formed through which a projection (not shown) provided on the developer receiving apparatus 8 passes. A lift mechanism K as a driving means is disposed on the downstream side of the upper flange portion 31 in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a), and is covered with a cover 7F together with the flange portion 3F, the pump portion 5, the reciprocating member 6, and the like.

[ lifting mechanism ]

The lifting mechanism K will be described with reference to part (a) to fig. 55 of fig. 54. Part (a) of fig. 54 shows a state before the lifting portion 30F is lifted by the lifting mechanism K, and part (b) of fig. 54 shows a state after the lifting portion 30F has been moved by the lifting mechanism K. In addition, fig. 55 shows the vicinity of the second switch 83 of the lift mechanism K in an enlarged manner.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 54 and part (b) of fig. 54, the lifting mechanism K includes a drive motor 80, a power source 81, a first switch 82, a second switch 83, a motor gear 84, a drive gear 85, and a lifting gear 86. In the present embodiment, the driving motor 80, the power source 81, the first switch 82, and the second switch 83 are connected in series by an electric wire such as an enameled wire. The drive motor 80 is held by a substantially L-shaped motor holding portion Ka erected from the lower flange portion 32F. In addition to the drive motor 80, a power supply 81 for supplying electric power to drive the drive motor 80, a first switch 82 for starting driving the drive motor 80, and a second switch 83 for stopping driving the drive motor 80 are provided in the motor holding portion Ka. The second switch 83 is formed of two elastically deformable conductive metal plates disposed opposite to each other, and the two metal plates are displaceable between a position where they contact each other and a position where they are separated from each other. The motor gear 84 is mounted to a motor shaft of the drive motor 80, and is rotated by the rotation of the drive motor 80. The drive gear 85 meshes with the motor gear 84 and is rotated by the rotation of the motor gear 84. In addition, the drive gear 85 is provided with a cylindrical elevating gear 86 provided with a helical groove around the rotation axis, and the elevating gear 86 extends upward in the vertical direction and rotates in the direction of the arrow V together with the drive gear 85. That is, the rotational force of the driving motor 80 is transmitted to the elevating gear 86 via the motor gear 84 and the driving gear 85.

In the case of the present embodiment, in response to the first switch 82 being pressed when the metal plates of the second switch 83 are in contact with each other, the drive motor 80 is supplied with power from the power source 81 and starts energization, whereby rotation starts. And, in response to the metal plate of the second switch 83 being displaced to the position where the metal plate of the second switch 83 is separated after the electric power is supplied from the power source 81, the supply of the electric power from the power source 81 is stopped, and the drive motor 80 is stopped.

[ lifting part ]

The lift portion 30F will be described. The lifting portion 30F is provided with a receiving support portion 30Fa, a rotation regulating protrusion portion 30Fb, a releasing protrusion portion 30Fc, and a gear fitting hole 30Fd. The receiving support portion 30Fa is formed on each side in the width direction of the lifting portion 30F so as to protrude in the width direction and extend in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a). The receiving supporting portion 30Fa can support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 from below in the vertical direction. The lifting gear 86 is fitted to the gear fitting hole 30Fd so as to be engaged with the spiral groove of the lifting gear 86. And, the rotation regulating protruding portions 30Fb are sandwiched between the opposite rotation regulating portions 87 which are configured in pairs and erected upward in the vertical direction on the lower flange portion 32F. By so doing, the lifting portion 30F can be relatively moved upward in the vertical direction with respect to the lifting gear 86 without being rotated by the rotation of the lifting gear 86. Thereby, the lift portion 30F moves upward in the vertical direction. Also, with the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving supporting portion 30Fa of the lifting portion 30F, the developer receiving portion 11 moves upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 12.

[ operation of developer receiving portion ]

Next, an operation of connecting the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1F by the lifting portion 30F will be described. At the start of installation of the supply container 1F, the lift mechanism K is not being operated, and the lift portion 30F is at the lowermost position, and the receiving support portion 30Fa of the lift portion 30F does not support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11. As described previously, the developer receiving portion 11 is urged by the urging member 12 in a direction away from the supply container 1, and therefore, the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1.

Thereafter, when the supply container 1F is further inserted toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 starts to be supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving supporting portion 30Fa of the lifting portion 30F, as shown in part (a) of fig. 54. However, also at this time, the lift mechanism K is still not yet operated. That is, the developer receiving portion 11 is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1F. Here, the container discharge opening 3a4 is still sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4B.

When the supply container 1F reaches the mounting completion position, the protruding portion (not shown) of the developer receiving apparatus 8 enters the cover 7F through the hole 7Fa of the cover 7F and pushes the first switch 82. In addition, the baffle opening 4j and the container discharge opening 3a4 communicate with each other. Also, by pressing the first switch 82, the drive motor 80 is supplied with electric power from the power source 81 and starts rotating, so that the elevating gear 86 is rotated by means of the motor gear 84 and the drive gear 85, whereby the lift portion 30F is moved upward in the vertical direction, as shown in part (b) of fig. 54. Also, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported from below by the receiving supporting portion 30Fa of the lifting portion 30F in the vertical direction, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 12. Here, the operation of the first switch 82 is not limited to being performed by the protruding portion of the developer receiving apparatus 8, but may be performed by an operator after the installation of the supply container 1 is completed.

Also, as shown in fig. 55, in the lift portion 30F, the release protrusion portion 30Fc pushes one of the metal plates constituting the second switch 83 upward in the vertical direction (here, the metal plate 83b is arranged in the upward direction in the vertical direction). When the metal plate 83b is elastically deformed by being pushed upward by the lift portion 30F, the metal plate 83b and the metal plate 83a change from the contact state to the separation state. Thereby, the supply of electric power from the power supply 81 to the drive motor 80 is cut off, and therefore, the drive motor 80 stops rotating. When the driving motor 80 stops rotating, the rotation of the motor gear 84, the elevating gear 86 rotated by means of the driving gear 85 also stops, and therefore, the movement of the lift portion 30F stops.

When the lift portion 30F is moved as described above, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved to a position where the receiving opening 11a is connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1F. Here, in this case, the container discharge opening 3a4 is exposed from the baffle 4B, and the container discharge opening 3a4 and the receiving opening 11a communicate with each other. In this way, the developer can be supplied.

Here, when the supply container 1F is detached in the detaching direction (the direction of the arrow B), the support of the supported portion 11B of the developer receiving portion 11 by the receiving supporting portion 30Fa of the lifting portion 30F is suspended. Then, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved downward in the vertical direction by the urging force of the urging member 12.

In the above manner, in embodiment 7, in order to move the developer receiving portion 11, the operation of the lifting portion 30F is performed by the driving motor 80 to lift the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 upward in the vertical direction (supply container side). Accordingly, when the lifting portion 30F moves the developer receiving portion 11 upward in the vertical direction, the driving force of the driving motor 80 is increased, and therefore, less force is required as compared with the above-described conventional example. That is, the load required to move the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, and therefore, smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

< example 8>

Next, embodiment 8 will be described with reference to part (a) to fig. 62 in fig. 56, in which the lifting part is operated by using a magnetic force. Here, in embodiment 8, the same constituent portions as those of embodiment 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified. Hereinafter, the description will be mainly focused on portions different from embodiment 1.

This embodiment is greatly different from embodiment 1 in the following points.

The shutter 4G is provided with a first magnet 70 in place of the shutter inclined portion 4f; and the second magnet 71 is provided on the lift portion 30G supported at one end by the lift holding portion 3b.

In the case of the present embodiment, the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 are disposed such that opposing surfaces that oppose each other have the same polarity when facing each other when the supply container 1G is mounted, as will be described later. That is, the first magnet 70 is arranged so that the lift portion 30G side (support portion side) of the baffle plate 4G has a predetermined polarity, and the second magnet 71 is disposed so that the baffle plate 4G side (baffle plate side) of the lift portion 30G has the same polarity. Thus, when the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 face each other, the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 repel each other. As shown in part (b) of fig. 56, the second magnet 71 is provided on the lower side of the receiving support portion 30c in the vertical direction. In contrast, as shown in part (a) of fig. 57 and part (b) of fig. 57, the first magnet 70 is provided on the support portion 4d which displaceably supports the

stopper portions

4b and 4c of the shutter 4G. Here, the shutter 4G is provided with a shutter opening 4j for discharging the developer, and the developer seal portion 4a is provided at a position deviated from the shutter opening 4j of the shutter 4.

[ operation of developer receiving portion ]

The connecting operation of the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1G by the lifting portion 30G will be described in the time sequence of the mounting operation of the supply container 1G with reference to part (a) of fig. 58 to part (b) of fig. 61. Part (a) of fig. 58 and part (b) of fig. 58 show a state when the supply container 1G starts to be attached, and part (a) of fig. 59 and part (b) of fig. 59 show a state when the lifting by the lifting portion 30G starts. Part (a) of fig. 60 and part (b) of fig. 60 show a state during lifting by the lifting portion 30G, and part (a) of fig. 61 and part (b) of fig. 61 show a state when the mounting of the supply container 1G is completed. Here, the operation of separating the developer receiving portion 11 from the supply container 1G by the lifting portion 30G according to the releasing operation of the supply container 1G is opposite to the connecting operation which will be described below, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 58, when the supply container 1G starts to be mounted, the shutter 4G and the lift portion 30G integrally move without moving relative to each other in the supply container 1G. When the barrier 4G and the lift portion 30G move together, the distance between the first magnet 70 of the barrier 4G and the second magnet 71 of the lift portion 30G in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow a) is maintained. In this case, the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 do not face each other, and therefore, they are hardly affected by mutual magnetic force therebetween, and therefore, they do not repel each other. Therefore, the lift portion 30G is located at the lowermost position abutting the lift stopper portion 3c, and the receiving and supporting portion 30c of the lift portion 30G does not support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11. As described previously, the developer receiving portion 11 is urged by the urging member 12 in a direction away from the supply container 1G, and therefore, the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1G. Here, the container discharge opening 3a4 is sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4G.

When the supply container 1G is inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 58 toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the first stopper portion 4b of the shutter 4G engages with the first shutter stopper portion 8a of the developer receiving apparatus 8, as described above. Thereby, the position of the shutter 4G with respect to the developer receiving apparatus 8 is fixed. When the position of the shutter 4G relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8 is maintained, the movement of the shutter 4G relative to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) is stopped, but the movement of the supply container 1G relative to the developer receiving portion 11 other than the shutter 4G in the mounting direction is maintained. In addition, in this case, as shown in part (b) of fig. 59, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 starts to be supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving supporting portion 30c of the lifting portion 30G. In this case, the shutter opening 4j reaches above the receiving opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 while the container discharge opening 3a4 is maintained in a state sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4G. However, the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 do not oppose each other, and their influence is weak, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 is not displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1G.

Subsequently, when the supply container 1G is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 59 toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the supply container 1G moves in the mounting direction with respect to the baffle 4G, as shown in part (a) of fig. 60. At this time, the container discharge opening 3a4 is not exposed from the shutter 4G, but is still sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a. In addition, in this case, as shown in part (b) of fig. 60, the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 face each other, and therefore, the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 including the same polarity repel each other. Thereby, the lift portion 30G moves upward in the vertical direction. Also, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving supporting portion 30c of the lifting portion 30G, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 12. Here, the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 repel each other, and therefore, a downward force is also applied to the shutter 4G in the vertical direction. However, the shutter 4G is held by the mounting portion 8f of the developer receiving apparatus 8, and therefore, even if the shutter 4G is affected by magnetic force, the position in the vertical direction is maintained.

When the supply container 1G is further inserted toward the downstream side in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 60, the supply container 1G is moved in the mounting direction with respect to the baffle 4G and reaches the mounting completion position as shown in part (a) of fig. 61 in the same manner as previously described. In addition, as shown in part (b) of fig. 60, the first magnet 70 substantially reaches the center of the vertical direction of the second magnet 71, and the repulsive force between the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 is maximized, and therefore, the movement of the lift portion 30G is stopped at the maximum reachable position in the vertical direction. In this case, the developer receiving portion 11 in which the supported portion 11b is supported by the lifting portion 30G is in a state of being connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1G at the receiving opening 11a. Thus, a state in which the developer can be supplied is established.

As described above, in embodiment 8, the movement of the lifting portion 30G for moving the developer receiving portion 11 is performed by the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71, so that the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is lifted upward in the vertical direction (supply container side). Accordingly, when the lifting portion 30G moves the developer receiving portion 11 upward in the vertical direction, the repulsive force of the magnetic force emitted from the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 increases, and therefore, the required force is smaller as compared with the above-described conventional example. That is, the load required to move the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, and therefore, smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, the supported portion 11b supported by the receiving support portion 30c moves on the upper surface (substantially horizontal surface) of the receiving support portion 30c. In the case where the supported portion 11b slides on the horizontal plane as in the present embodiment, the load applied in the horizontal direction (mounting direction) when mounting the supply container 1G can be reduced, as compared with the case where the supported portion 11b slides on the inclined guide portion 310 in the conventional example as described above. Thereby, a smoother mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

< example 9>

In embodiment 8 described above, the first magnet 70 is formed integrally with the shutter 4G. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a magnet member separate from the baffle may be provided in order to easily add the first magnet 70 to the existing baffle. This embodiment 9 will be described with reference to part (a) of fig. 62 to part (c) of fig. 63. Here, in embodiment 9, the same components as those of embodiment 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted or simplified, and differences from embodiment 8 will be mainly described below.

Part (a) of fig. 62 and part (b) of fig. 62 show the mounting member 72 of the present embodiment. The mounting member 72 is used by overlapping with the above-described baffle 4B (part (a) of fig. 26), which includes stopper portions 72B, 72c having the same shape as the

stopper portions

4B, 4c of the baffle 4B, and includes a support portion 72B having the same shape as the support portion 4d. That is, in a state where the mounting member 72 overlaps the barrier 4B, the mounting member is formed so that the appearance substantially coincides with the barrier 4B when viewed from above in the vertical direction. Thereby, similarly to the shutter 4B, the mounting member 72 is held in the shutter stopper portions 8a, 8B (portion (a) of fig. 4) of the developer receiving apparatus 8 so as to be movable together with the shutter 4B relative to a part of the supply container 1G. That is, as shown in part (a) of fig. 63 to part (c) of fig. 63, in the supply container 1G, the mounting member 72 is mounted to the baffle 4B in a state where the mounting member overlaps the baffle 4B in the vertical direction. Also, at the time of mounting to and dismounting from the developer receiving apparatus 8, the

stopper portions

72b, 72c of the mounting member 72 are engaged with the

shutter stopper portions

8a, 8b of the developer receiving apparatus 8, and the position of the mounting member 72 relative to the developer receiving apparatus 8 is fixed. At this time, the

stopper portions

4B and 4c of the shutter 4B are also engaged with the shutter stopper portions 8a and 8B, and the shutter 4B is also fixed to the developer receiving apparatus 8.

The first magnet 70 is disposed on the

stopper portions

72b and 72 c. In the present embodiment, when the mounting member 72 overlaps the baffle plate 4B, the first magnet 70 is disposed so as to substantially coincide with the arrangement position of the first magnet 70 in the above-described baffle plate 4G. By so doing, the positional relationship between the first magnet 70 and the second magnet 71 of the lifting portion 30G in the state where the mounting member 72 is fixed to the developer receiving apparatus 8 is the same as that in embodiment 8 described above. Accordingly, when the supply container 1G is mounted, the lifting portion 30G can be moved upward in the vertical direction using magnetic force so that the developer receiving portion 11 is in a state where the receiving opening 11a is connected to the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1G.

Here, the mounting member 72 of the present embodiment may be applied to a structure in which no baffle is provided, and the tank discharge opening 3a4 (part (b) of fig. 5) of the supply tank 1G is sealed with a film-like sealing member (not shown) instead of the baffle.

In this case, after the supply container 1G is mounted to the developer receiving apparatus 8, the sealing member is pulled out by the operator, whereby the developer in the supply container 1G can be supplied. With this structure as well, by providing the above-described mounting member 72, it is possible to operate the lifting portion 30G and connect the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1G using magnetic force. As described above, the above embodiment 9 can be applied regardless of the presence or absence of the baffle.

< example 10>

Further, the lifting portion may be operated by using gravity. The present embodiment 10 will be described with reference to fig. 64 to 74. Here, in embodiment 10, the same constituent portions as those of embodiment 1 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified, and portions different from embodiment 1 will be mainly described below.

Fig. 64 shows a supply container 1H of embodiment 10. The supply container 1H mainly includes a container body 2, a flange portion 3H, a baffle 4H, a pump portion 5, a reciprocating member 6, a lid 7, a lift portion 30H, and a weight 90. The counterweight 90 is disposed on the downstream side of the upper flange portion 31 in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow a) and above the baffle 4H in the vertical direction, and is covered by the cover 7 together with the flange portion 3H, the pump portion 5, the reciprocating member 6, and the like. As will be described later, the counterweight 90 is movably disposed in the vertical direction within the cover 7, and is supported by the baffle 4H.

[ balance weight ]

Part (a) of fig. 65 and part (b) of fig. 65 show the counterweight 90. The counterweight 90 has a protrusion 90a on each end side in the width direction. The projection 90a is formed in a vertically elongated shape. One end portion of a wire described later is fixed to the projection 90a. In addition, the counterweight 90 is provided with a baffle supported portion 90b that protrudes downward in the vertical direction from the bottom surface on the upstream side at a position on the downstream side from the central portion with respect to the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow a). By the shutter 4H abutting the shutter supported portion 90b, the counterweight 90 is supported by the shutter 4H. In addition, the width direction dimension of the counterweight 90 in the vertically lower side including the baffle-supported portion 90b is smaller than the width direction dimension on the vertically upper side. This is to secure a space through which a wire or the like to be described later passes on both ends in the width direction of the counterweight 90.

[ Flange portion ]

The flange portion 3H will be described with reference to fig. 66. The lower flange portion 32H includes a baffle insertion portion 3b1 into which a baffle 4H to be described later is inserted. In a state where the baffle 4H is inserted into the baffle insertion portion 3b1, the lower flange portion 32H is integrated with the upper flange portion 31. On each side in the width direction of the lower flange portion 32H, a lift holding portion 92 is formed in a slit shape, which slidably holds a lift portion 30H (fig. 67) described later so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. On the downstream side of the lift holding portion 92 in the mounting direction, a weight holding portion 93 is formed in a slit shape, which holds the protruding portion 90a of the weight 90 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. That is, the movement of the lift portion 30H in the attaching/detaching direction (the direction of arrows a and B) is restricted by the lift holding portion 92, and the movement of the counterweight 90 in the same direction is restricted by the counterweight holding portion 93, respectively. In addition, wire holding portions 91 for holding wires described later are provided on each side in the width direction of the upper flange portion 31.

[ lifting part ]

Fig. 67 shows the lift portion 30H. The lifting portion 30H has a fitting portion 30Ha, a wire connecting portion 30Hb, a receiving supporting portion 30c and a lifting main assembly portion 30d. In the lifting main assembly portion 30d, there is formed a receiving supporting portion 30c capable of supporting the supported portion 11b (portion (c) of fig. 4) of the developer receiving portion 11 from below in the vertical direction. On the side of the lifting main assembly portion 30d opposite to the receiving support portion 30c, there is provided a wire connecting portion 30Hb for fixing one end portion of a wire described hereinafter. The engaging portion 30Ha projects from the side of the lifting main assembly portion 30d opposite to the receiving supporting portion 30c, and connects the lifting main assembly portion 30d and the wire connecting portion 30Hb to each other. As shown in the drawing, in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow a), the fitting portion 30Ha is shorter than the lengths of the lifting main assembly portion 30d and the wire connecting portion 30 Hb. In the case of the present embodiment, by fitting this fitting portion 30Ha to the lift holding portion 92 of the lower flange portion 32H, the lift portion 30H can slide in the vertical direction with respect to the flange portion 3H.

[ baffle ]

Fig. 68 shows a baffle 4H. In the present embodiment, the barrier 4H is used to operate the lift portion 30H by moving the counterweight 90 by gravity. In other words, the weight support 4H1 is provided on the baffle 4H. As shown in fig. 68, in the case of the present embodiment, the weight support portion 4H1 as the moving member is formed so as to protrude toward the supply container side over the entire area in the width direction at the downstream end portion in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow a). In addition, the weight support portion 4H1 is inclined such that the length in the vertical direction gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the mounting direction. In other words, the weight support portion 4H1 has an inclined surface that is inclined toward the developer receiving portion side from the upstream side to the downstream side in the mounting direction. In more detail, as described later, when the supply container 1H moves relative to the baffle 4H, the balance weight 90 also moves relative to the baffle 4H. In this case, the counterweight 90 moves while sliding on the counterweight support portion 4H1 by the force of gravity, so that the lifting portion 30H connected to the counterweight 90 by a wire moves in the vertical direction.

[ line ]

In the present embodiment, as shown in part (a) of fig. 69 and part (b) of fig. 69, the counterweight 90 and the lifting portion 30H are connected by a wire 95. One end portion of the thread 95 as a moving member and as a string-like member is fixed to the protrusion 90a of the counterweight 90, and the other end portion is fixed to the thread connecting portion 30Hb of the lifting portion 30H (fig. 67). In addition, the string 95 extends through the first string holding portion 91 of the upper flange portion 31 and the second string holding portion 94 formed in the weight holding portion 93 of the lower flange portion 32H so that the string does not droop. Thereby, the displacement amount of the counterweight 90 and the displacement amount of the lifting portion 30H are substantially the same. Here, the length of the line 95 is such that when the counterweight 90 is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction, the lift portion 30H is located at the lowermost position in the vertical direction, and when the counterweight 90 is located at the lowermost position in the vertical direction, the lift portion 30H is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction.

[ operation of developer receiving portion ]

The operation of connecting the developer receiving portion 11 to the supply container 1H by the lifting portion 30H will be described in the time sequence of the mounting operation of the supply container 1H to the developer receiving apparatus 8 with reference to part (a) to 74 of fig. 70. Part (a) of fig. 70 and part (b) of fig. 70 show a state when installation of the supply container 1H is started. Part (a) of fig. 71 and part (b) of fig. 71 show a state after the lifting of the lift portion 30H is started. In addition, part (a) of fig. 72 and part (b) of fig. 72 show a state in which the lifting portion 30H is being lifted, part (a) of fig. 73 and part (b) of fig. 73 show a state when the lifting of the lifting portion 30H is completed, and fig. 74 shows a state when the mounting of the supply container 1H is completed.

As shown in part (a) of fig. 70, at the start of installation of the supply container 1H, the shutter 4H and the lift portion 30H integrally move without moving relative to each other in the supply container 1H. When the barrier 4H and the lift portion 30H move together, the counterweight 90 is supported by the barrier 4H on the uppermost surface of the counterweight supporting portion 4H 1. In this case, as shown in part (b) of fig. 70, the counterweight 90 is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction, and therefore, the lift portion 30H is located at the lowermost position abutting against the lift stopper portion 3c. In addition, the receiving supporting portion 30c of the lifting portion 30H does not support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11. As described previously, the developer receiving portion 11 is urged by the urging member 12 (part (b) of fig. 3) in a direction away from the supply container 1, and therefore, the receiving opening 11a is separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1. Here, the container discharge opening 3a4 is sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4H.

As already mentioned, when the supply container 1H is inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 70 toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the position of the shutter 4H with respect to the developer receiving apparatus 8 is fixed. Thereby, the relative movement of the supply container 1H other than the shutter 4H with respect to the developer receiving portion 11 in the mounting direction (the direction of arrow a) is maintained. Thus, the container discharge opening 3a4 remains sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a of the shutter 4H. Also, as shown in part (b) of fig. 71, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported by the receiving supporting portion 30c of the lifting portion 30H. However, the counterweight 90 is maintained in a state of being located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction supported by the uppermost surface of the counterweight supporting portion 4H 1. Therefore, the lift portion 30H remains located at the lowermost position in the vertical direction, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 is not yet displaced from the initial position, and the receiving opening 11a remains separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1H.

Subsequently, when the supply container 1H is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 71 toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the supply container 1H moves in the mounting direction with respect to the baffle 4H as shown in part (a) of fig. 72. At this time, the container discharge opening 3a4 is not exposed from the shutter 4H, but is still sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a. In addition, in this case, according to the mounting operation of the supply container 1H, the counterweight 90 moves downward in the vertical direction while sliding on the counterweight support portion 4H1 by the action of gravity. Then, as shown in part (b) of fig. 72, the lift portion 30H is pulled by the counterweight 90 by means of the wire 95 and moves upward in the vertical direction. Also, the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is supported from below in the vertical direction by the receiving supporting portion 30c of the lifting portion 30H, and therefore, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved upward in the vertical direction against the urging force of the urging member 12. At this time, when the counterweight 90 moves downward in the vertical direction along the counterweight support portion 4H1, the lift portion 30H moves upward in the vertical direction by a displacement amount equivalent to the displacement amount of the counterweight 90. However, the receiving opening 11a is still separated from the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1H. Here, in this case, the container discharge opening 3a4 is not exposed from the shutter 4H, and is still sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a.

For example, the weight 90 is made of brass to have, for example, 43cm ³ The volume of (a). In this case, the weight 90 has a mass of 360g. Also, the urging force of the urging member 12 for urging the developer receiving portion 11 in the direction away from the supply container 1H is, for example, 300g. The urging force of the urging member 12 is lower than the sum of the mass of the weight 90 and the mass (for example, 10 g) of the lifting portion 30H. Thus, when the counterweight 90 moves, the lifting portion 30H can move through the line 95. Here, the volume and material of the weight 90 are not limited to these examples, and any weight may be used as long as the added value of the weight and the weight of the lifting portion 30H exceeds the urging force of the urging member 12.

When the supply container 1H is further inserted toward the downstream side in the mounting direction from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 72, the supply container 1H moves in the mounting direction relative to the baffle 4H, and therefore, the counterweight 90 moves downward in the vertical direction under the action of gravity, as shown in part (a) of fig. 73. Therefore, when the balance weight 90 moves to the lowermost position in the vertical direction according to the mounting operation of the supply container 1H, the lift portion 30H moves to the uppermost position in the vertical direction and stops there. In the case of the present embodiment, in the developer receiving portion 11 in which the supported portion 11b is supported by the lift portion 30H, the receiving opening 11a is in a state of being connected to the shutter opening 4j, but the container discharge opening 3a4 is not exposed from the shutter 4H and remains sealed by the developer sealing portion 4a.

When the supply container 1H is further inserted from the state shown in part (a) of fig. 73 toward the downstream side in the mounting direction, the supply container 1H moves in the mounting direction with respect to the baffle 4H so that the supply container 1H reaches the mounting completion position. In the present embodiment, at this time, as shown in fig. 74, the container discharge opening 3a4 is exposed from the shutter 4H, and the container discharge opening 3a4 and the receiving opening 11a communicate with each other. In this way, the developer can be supplied. At this time, as shown in part (b) of fig. 73, the positional relationship between the container discharge opening 3a4 and the lift portion 30H is such that a plane L (a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passing through the container discharge opening 3a4 passes through the lift portion 30H. In addition, a plane of the receiving support portion 30c including the lifting portion 30H is located between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening 3a4.

In contrast, when the supply container 1H is detached, the counterweight 90 moves upward in the vertical direction accompanying the detaching operation of the supply container 1H, so that the counterweight 90 is lifted by the flapper 4H. When the weight 90 moves upward in the vertical direction, the lift portion 30H moves downward in the vertical direction by its own weight and the urging force of the urging member 12 urging the developer receiving portion 11. In this way, the developer receiving portions 11 are moved to the side opposite to the supply container 1H, that is, separated from each other.

As described above, in embodiment 10, in order to move the developer receiving portion 11, the operation of the lifting portion 30H is performed by the movement of the weight 90, and the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 is lifted upward in the vertical direction (supply container side). Accordingly, when the lifting portion 30H moves the developer receiving portion 11 upward in the vertical direction, the tensile force applied by the weight 90 is increased, and therefore, less force is required as compared with the above-described conventional example. That is, the load required to move the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, and therefore, smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

In addition, by changing the inclination angle of the weight support portion 4H1 of the baffle 4H and the arrangement position of the weight support portion 4H1 in the mounting direction, the lifting time and the lifting speed can be changed, and therefore, the degree of freedom of design is high.

Here, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the weight support portion 4H1 holding the weight 90 is integrally formed on the barrier 4H, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The above-described weight support portion 4H1 may be provided on a member separate from the baffle 4H,

for example, the member may be mounted to the baffle 4B without the weight support portion 4H1 (part (a) of fig. 26).

< example 11>

In the above embodiment 10, the displacement of the counterweight 90 is transmitted to the lifting portion 30H using the wire 95 so as to operate the lifting portion using gravity, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, it may have a structure in which the displacement of the weight 90 is transmitted to the lifting portion using a rotating member instead of the wire 95. The present embodiment 11 will be described with reference to fig. 75 and 76. Fig. 75 shows a state at the time of starting the installation of the supply container 1J of the present embodiment.

Fig. 76 shows a state when the mounting of the supply container 1J of the present embodiment is completed. Here, in embodiment 11, the same components as those of embodiment 10 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified, and differences from embodiment 10 will be mainly described below.

As shown in fig. 75, in the flange portion 3J of the supply container 1J according to the present embodiment, the lift portion 30J is rotatably provided to each rotation shaft 32Ja provided at each end portion in the width direction of the lower flange portion 32J. In the lifting portion 30J of the present embodiment, the receiving supporting portion 30Ja which can support the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 from below in the vertical direction is formed on the lifting body 30Jb which is rotatable about the rotation shaft 32Ja.

In the case of the present embodiment, the receiving support portion 30Ja is provided on the upstream side in the mounting direction (the direction of the arrow a) integrally with the lifting body 30Jb as the rotation operation portion. The lifting body 30Jb is formed in an elongated shape, and is disposed in the lower flange portion 32J so that the lifting body can be in contact with the protrusion 90a of the weight 90 on the downstream side in the mounting direction, and the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 on the upstream side can be supported by the receiving support portion 30Ja.

In the present embodiment, when the balance weight 90 moves downward in the vertical direction along the weight support portion 4H1 (fig. 68) of the baffle plate 4H by gravity according to the mounting operation of the supply container 1J, the one end side of the lifting body 30Jb in which the receiving support portion 30Ja is not formed is pushed downward by the protrusion 90a. Then, as shown in fig. 76, the lifting body 30Jb is rotated about the rotation shaft 32Ja to lift the receiving and supporting portion 30Ja of the supported portion 11b which has supported the developer receiving portion 11. Also, when the counter weight 90 is moved to the lowermost position in the vertical direction in accordance with the mounting operation of the supply container 1J, the receiving support portion 30Ja is moved to the uppermost position in the vertical direction. Thereby, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved upward in the vertical direction toward the supply container 1J side, and therefore, the container discharge opening 3a4 of the supply container 1J and the receiving opening 11a of the developer receiving portion 11 can be brought into a connected state with respect to each other. In this way, the developer can be supplied. At this time, as shown in fig. 76, the positional relationship between the container discharge opening 3a4 and the lift portion 30J is such that a plane L (a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis P) passing through the container discharge opening 3a4 passes through the lift portion 30J. In addition, a plane of the receiving support portion 30Ja including the lifting portion 30J is located between the rotation axis P and the container discharge opening 3a4.

In contrast, when the supply container 1J is detached, the weight 90 moves upward in the vertical direction by being lifted by the flap 4H accompanying the detaching operation of the supply container 1J. When the weight 90 moves upward in the vertical direction, the other end side of the lifting body 30Jb where the receiving support portion 30Ja is formed is lowered downward by the weight of the receiving support portion 30Ja and the urging force of the urging member 12 urging the developer receiving portion 11. In this way, the developer receiving portion 11 is moved to the side opposite to the supply container 1J, that is, removed.

In the above manner, also in embodiment 11, the operation of the lifting portion 30J is performed by the movement of the weight 90 to lift the supported portion 11b of the developer receiving portion 11 upward in the vertical direction (supply container side). Thereby, the load required to move the developer receiving portion 11 is reduced, and therefore, smooth mounting of the supply container can be achieved.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the principle of leverage is employed, it is easy to make changes, such as lowering the mass of the counterweight 90 by changing the position of the fulcrum (that is, the pivot center) to increase the amount of displacement, or conversely making the counterweight 90 heavier to decrease the amount of displacement, or the like.

[ Industrial Applicability ]

According to the present invention, there are provided a developer supply container and a developer supply system suitable for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and the like.

[ description of reference numerals ]

1= developer supply container (supply container)

2c = developer accommodating portion

3a4= discharge opening (container outlet)

3i = guide means (restricting rib)

4 (4A, 4B, 4D, 4E, 4G, 4H) = baffle

4f = inclined part (moving mechanism, baffle inclined part)

4g = rotary operation part (first rack)

4H1= moving member (counterweight support part)

8= developer receiving apparatus

11= developer receiving portion

11a = receiving opening

11b = supported part (supported part)

30 (30A to 30H, 30J) = supporting portion (lifting portion)

30b = sliding part (moving mechanism, baffle sliding part)

30e = conversion transfer mechanism (second rack)

30Bd = guide means (holding part, joint hole)

30Ca = rotation operation part (moving mechanism, locking part (locked part))

30Cb = rotation axis (moving mechanism)

30Jb = rotary operation part (lifting body)

32Ja = rotary shaft (moving member)

40= rotatable member (pinion)

45= slide operation part (lift operation arm part)

50= retraction member

60= management and control member (moving mechanism)

61= pushing device (moving mechanism, pushing member)

70= first magnet (moving mechanism)

71= second magnet (moving mechanism)

72= mounting member

90= counterweight (moving mechanism)

95= moving member (rope-like member, wire)

200= developer supply system

700= discharge part

K = driving device (lifting mechanism)

Claims

1. A developer supply container detachably mountable to a developer receiving apparatus, said developer receiving apparatus including a developer receiving portion provided with a receiving opening for receiving a developer, and a supported portion displaceable integrally with said developer receiving portion, said developer supply container comprising:

a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer;

a discharge portion provided with a discharge opening at a bottom side thereof for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion;

a supporting portion provided at the discharging portion and capable of supporting the supported portion, the supporting portion being movable relative to the discharging portion; and

a moving mechanism for moving the supporting portion upward relative to the discharging portion while supporting the supported portion to move the developer receiving portion toward the developer supply container to communicate the receiving opening with the discharging opening in conjunction with a mounting operation of the developer supply container to the developer receiving apparatus.

2. A developer supply container according to claim 1, further comprising a shutter which is movable relative to said supporting portion in association with said mounting operation, wherein said moving mechanism comprises a sliding portion provided on said supporting portion, and an inclined portion provided on said shutter so as to be contactable with said sliding portion in association with the relative movement of said shutter, and said inclined portion is inclined so as to move said supporting portion upward.

3. A developer supply container according to claim 1, further comprising a shutter movable relative to said supporting portion accompanying said mounting operation, wherein said moving mechanism comprises a rotatable member provided on said discharging portion, a rotation operating portion for rotating said rotatable member accompanying relative movement of said shutter, and a conversion transmission mechanism for converting a rotational motion into a linear motion and transmitting said linear motion to said supporting portion.

4. A developer supply container according to claim 3, wherein said rotatable member comprises a pinion gear provided on said supporting portion, and said rotational operation portion comprises a first rack gear provided to extend in the mounting direction, and said changeover transmission mechanism comprises a second rack gear meshed with said pinion gear.

5. A developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein said moving mechanism includes a guide means for guiding said supporting portion in a direction for communicating said receiving opening with said discharge opening, and a slide operation portion for moving said supporting portion along said guide means in conjunction with said mounting operation.

6. A developer supply container according to claim 5, wherein said guide means comprises a rib provided on one of said discharge portion and said support portion, and a holding portion provided on the other of said discharge portion and said support portion and engaged with said rib to slidably support said support portion.

7. A developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein said developer receiving apparatus includes a pulling member for pulling said developer supply container toward a downstream side in said mounting direction in conjunction with said mounting operation, and wherein said moving mechanism includes a rotary shaft rotatably supporting said supporting portion, and a rotary operation portion capable of operating said supporting portion in conjunction with a pulling operation of said pulling member rotating about an axis of said rotary shaft.

8. A developer supply container according to claim 1, wherein said moving mechanism includes urging means for urging in a direction to communicate said receiving opening with said discharge opening, and a restricting member contactable with said supporting portion to restrict movement of said supporting portion by said urging means, and wherein said restricting member is movable relative to said supporting portion in association with said mounting operation to release said supporting portion from said restricting member.

9. A developer supply container according to claim 8, further comprising a shutter movable relative to said supporting portion in association with said mounting operation, wherein said regulating member is provided integrally with said shutter and moves relative to said supporting portion in association with relative movement of said shutter.

10. A developer supply container according to claim 1, further comprising a shutter movable relative to said support portion accompanying said mounting operation, wherein said moving mechanism comprises a first magnet provided on said shutter and having a predetermined polarity at a side closer to said support portion, and a second magnet provided on said support portion and having said predetermined polarity at a side closer to said shutter, wherein said support portion is operated by a repulsive force generated between said first magnet and said second magnet accompanying relative movement of said shutter.